AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, Amman City Space Dock
5th September UC 0087

The red Rick Dias was lowered down into the Valiant's mobile suit hanger by the crane mounted on the ceiling of the space dock. When the mobile suit touched the deck a group of deck hands swarmed around it to release the harness that connected it to the crane. Once the harness was cleared one of the deck hands clambered into the cockpit of the Rick Dias to slowly move it to the free mobile suit cradle.

"Why is my Rick Dias red?" Lieutenant James Keffer asked Catherine Williamson.

The female Anaheim Electronics employee turned to look at the grumpy pilot. She was getting fed up with Keffer's constant questioning, she had put up with it all afternoon. "I'm sure you already know that red is the official colour scheme of the Rick Dias' Lieutenant,"

"Yeah but my Rick Dias was sporting the old official colours when you took it off me," replied Keffer. "I want to know why it is now coloured red."

"I suspect someone repainted it," she replied casually as she checked her clipboard to make sure the right supplies were being loaded onto the Valiant.

"I never asked for my mobile suit to be repainted. I liked the black," Stated the pilot. "I don't want my mobile suit to look like some Redcomet reject. I might as well paint a target on my forehead and carry around a sign saying 'Here I am, shoot me now'."

"Lieutenant you know the procedures for custom paint jobs on mobile suits." replied Catherine calmly. "I suggest you go and follow those procedures rather than harass me."

"I'm not harassing you Miss Williamson," said James rather surprised that she thought he was. "I only want to know why my Rick Dias has been painted red."

It was at this point that the normally quiet Catherine Williamson snapped. "Lieutenant Keffer, I have been patient with your constant twittering all afternoon but you really must shut up now! If you don't leave me alone I'll never get all this delivery checked off. I'm sure you want to get back out there on patrol and the best way to achieve that is to leave me alone!"

"Are you suggesting that I'm slowing you down?"

"Yes!"

"You should have said something sooner."

"Keffer get lost!"

"You can come in now James," said Captain Alexander Jellico after the buzzer to his office door rang out. He did not look up from the masses of paperwork on his desk as the door slid open and the jump suited form of James Keffer entered.

"How did you know it was me?" asked James.

"Your mobile suit just came back therefore I surmised that you would come by to complain about something," replied Jellico as he put his signature on the report he was reading. "Last time you complained that they had messed with the padding in your cockpit chair."

"Well they did!" replied James indignantly.

"What is it this time?" said Jellico finally looking up from his work.

"They repainted my mobile suit red." stated James.

"Please tell me you are not going to make a big fuss over this James," said Jellico as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's trivial."

"It might be trivial to you Captain but it's a matter of life and death for us pilots!" retorted James. "A bright red mobile suit can be detected easier by a ship's observers. It could totally mess up a reconnaissance mission."

"You are not going to let this go are you?" asked Jellico wearily. "Fine you have my permission to repaint it anyway you like." He picked up a wad of papers from his desk and handed them to James. "Our new orders are in; we set sail once our supplies have been stowed. For our first mission we are to escort a transport ship, the St Joseph Express, while they deploy a number of automated defence platforms along the main transport route between Side 2 and Side 7."

"What's the point in that?" asked James. "Those old platforms are practically useless. It only takes a half skilled pilot to deal with those things."

"That may be true but I believe the hope is that they cause some trouble for some Titans who aren't paying attention," said Jellico. "I can't see it happening myself but orders are orders."

"Okay so that's number one," said James taking the seat Jellico offered him. "What about number two?"

"I think you'll enjoy this one. Recently we have been getting taciturn support from elements within the Republic of Zeon military. Basically they haven't closed the border even though the Titans have requested them do so. It has allowed us to get recruits from the Republic." said Jellico. "Recently the Titans dispatched a Salamis Kai cruiser to patrol the border. They've only been there a few days and already they have captured and turned back three shuttles."

"So it is our job to move in a scare them off?" suggested James.

"Not quite. Ever since the Federation Assembly gave its full backing to the Titans we have been vastly outnumbered. Anaheim has decided that we need to reduce the number of ships being used by the Titans." said Jellico. "Therefore we have been ordered to capture or destroy the Titans cruiser patrolling the border. Naturally they would prefer we capture it so we can use it against them."

James let out a long low whistle. "That's going to be fun. Do they want us to swat down the Dogosse Gier while we are at it? Just destroying it would be easy but capture? I mean it not like there is going to be any sympathetic members of the crew. What about the Republican forces? Surely they won't just sit by while we tussle with a Titans ship."

"We have a little luck there. The Titans cruiser has succeed in annoying the entire Republic border patrol force when one of their Hizacks shot down a Rick Dom. Intelligence suggests that they won't get involved." said Jellico. "I think you know the commander of the cruiser, it is the Perseus under Lieutenant Commander Franz Graser."

"Graser? That old fighter pilot? He was my commander during the stalemate period of the last war. Then he was a ship driver near the end. I had no idea he was still around," said James rather surprised. "I figured he bought it at A Baoa Qu. He's a stubborn old fool who won't give up easily. That said he never really grasped the intricacies of mobile suit combat so maybe that's something we can use."

"Something you should know about our replacement pilots, James," said Jellico. "Since we'll be operating near the Republic's border the upper echelons have decided that we need some local help. Therefore our replacements are all Republic citizens who've joined the AEUG."

"Zeeks, they are lumbering us with Zeeks?" James replied with indignation permeating his voice.

"Don't make a fuss about this James," declared Jellico.

"Is that an order Sir?"

"No I'm asking you as a friend," replied Jellico. "But I'll make it an order if I have too. I would much rather this to be a relatively happy cruise."

Amman City Space Dock, AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant berth

"You've got to be kidding me! This can't be our ship! It's decrepit." declared Ensign Richard Vaughn as the six wheeled grey jeep came to a stop right next to the main embarkation ramp of the Valiant.

"Don't set you sights too high, boy," said the jeep's driver. "The Valiant is a venerable old ship with a steadfast crew. You should be more worried about gaining the trust of her mobile suit commander. Keffer is a real taskmaster and he isn't going to like you lot."

"And why is that oh sage of the space dock?" Vaughn asked flippantly.

"I would have thought that was obvious boy," replied the 'sage of the space dock'. "You are Zeeks, plain and simple."

"Is he such a bigot that he won't accept us just because we are from Side 3?" quizzed Vaughn.

"Give it a rest Vaughn," ordered Lieutenant Junior Grade Joel Williams, the black haired leader of the Zeonic pilots. "Grab your gear; we had better report to the Captain right away."

The trio of pilots piled out of the jeep. They started up the embarkation ramp however once they reached the top it dawned on Williams that he had no idea where to begin looking for the Captain. "Does anyone know there way around a Federation ship?" he half asked his comrades.

"I was captured and pulled onto a Feddie transport ship after A Baoa Qu," said Ensign Philip Terizan, the third pilot who had remained silent during the jeep journey. "Other than that I've got no idea."

Deciding that just standing around in the corridor wasn't going to achieve anything Urban resolved to ask someone for directions. "Excuse me but can you help us?" he asked a passing crewman who was clad in a Federation Forces uniform. "We are looking for the Captain; we are supposed to report to him."

"You must be the replacement pilots. I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Jason Raynor part of the mobile suit team." said the young man Willians stopped. "We sure are glad to see you. I hope you are good because we don't get easy missions very often. Captain Jellico should be on the bridge by now, well that is assuming Keffer isn't holding him up by complaining about something."

AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, Near the Side 2 border
8th September UC 0087

The last of the Valiant's Nemos took off from the launch catapult and swung round to join the rest of the mobile suit team waiting between the Valiant and the St Joseph Express. The six mobile suits from the Valiant were joined by a pair of GM IIs from the St Joseph Express.

James Keffer toggled through his preset communications channels until he reached the one assigned to all the mobile suits under his command. "First off I'd like to thank Ensigns Juller and Trent from the St Joseph Express for joining us for this exercise. You Zeek boys have had a few days to get used to your Nemos so we will be going all out with this one."

"What is the plan for this drill sir?" asked Joel Williams. After the first meeting with Lieutenant Keffer and the Valiant's other pilots Williams, along with the other Zeon pilots, had barely seen Keffer. Williams suspected that the ex-Federation Forces pilot was deliberately avoiding them. The young pilot, Jason Raynor, admitted as much earlier in the day while they were in the mess hall.

"The Zeek boys along with Juller and Trent will stage a mock attack on the Valiant while Raynor, Cole and myself defend." replied Keffer. "Once all the mobile suits on either side have been disabled we will repeat the exercise with a role reversal."

"Isn't five take three a little uneven sir?" asked Vaughn. "I don't want you making it too easy for us."

"I assure you Ensign," replied Keffer gruffly. "You will not find anything about these exercises easy."

The two forces spilt up to start the drills. Joel Williams didn't think this was going to go well. During the One Year War he has heard stories about the Federation Forces' White Panther ace, the mobile suit pilot who stalked his prey before finishing them off. It had come as something of a surprise to discover that the perpetually grumpy James Keffer was the White Panther.

"This should be easy," said Vaughn over the communications channel assigned to Williams' team. "We out number them and they've even got one of those old Sniper Customs."

"You really are an idiot sometimes Vaughn," commented Philip Terizan. "There is a reason Lieutenant Cole is piloting a GM Sniper Custom and that is he is a damned good sniper. I heard that on their last mission he out fought a Hizack in that thing."

"Okay listens up. We will split into two and try to bracket them high and low." decided Williams. "Juller and Trent you go low, the rest of us will go high." Williams took note on how Keffer's team were deploying around the Valiant. The Sniper Custom was taking up position standing on the bow the cruiser; Raynor's Nemo Cannon was holding station twenty meters off the portside of the command tower. Keffer's Rick Dias was actually advancing towards the alleged 'attacking' force. "Damn this guy is arrogant," Williams said to himself. "But he's probably got more combat experience than all of us put together."

Things did not go well when the fighting began. There was a brief flash of light and then instantly Vaughn's Nemo activated its 'I'm dead' beacon. The mobile suits beam weaponry had been modified slightly so that they could only paint a target with a low power laser beam. If a mobile suit was hit with one of these beams its computer would calculate the damage and shut down systems to simulate the damage.

Williams knew it would take all his skill just to stay alive in the face of Keffer's Rick Dias. As if on cue the black mobile made a beeline towards is Nemo. Williams could only assume that it was Keffer's intention to defeat the leader of the 'Zeek boys' and justify his position as top pilot. The Rick Dias was faster, more manoeuvrable and better armed that the Nemo. Williams suspect it wouldn't be a long battle but he resolved to try and make Keffer work for the kill.

Joel Williams sank into one of the chairs in the pilot's ready room with a rather depressing clunk. He was joined shortly after by the rest of the Valiant's mobile suit pilots. The first exercise had not gone well. After Keffer had dispatched Williams' Nemo with just three rifle shots he had gone on to decimate the attacking force before Raynor picked off Juller's lone GM II at the end. The second exercise was hardly an improvement. Well timed shots from Raynor and Cole downed the Valiant with ease while Keffer led the escorting mobile suits on a merry chase around the St Joseph Express. Williams' only solace came from the fact that he had at least managed to hit Keffer this time round, though not enough to put him out of the battle.

"That was pretty dismal," declared Keffer and he strode to the front of the room. "If you keep up like that the Titans are going kill you. As soon as we are finished here in Side 2 we will be conducting more drills."

"Geez what a slave driver, not even Curran pushed us this hard," muttered Williams under his breath.

"What did you just say?" barked Keffer.

"Nothing sir," replied Williams.

"You said something pilot and I want to hear it," demanded Keffer sternly.

Williams sighed and decided it wasn't worth arguing over. "I said you were a slave driver and that not even Curran drove us this hard."

"Curran? As in Anthony Curran from Side 5?" Keffer looked as white as a sheet. "You served with Anthony Curran, the Storm Lord?"

"Yeah he was my commanding officer during the latter stages of the war," said Williams rather sheepishly. "He was a devil for drills but he guided us through Solomon and A Baoa Qu."

"Is he still with the Republic?" demanded Keffer, "Is he alive?"

"I haven't seen him since A Baoa Qu," replied Williams. "He said he couldn't stay any longer and headed off to Axis."

James Keffer slumped into the small chair in his quarters. He could scarcely believe it. Anthony survived the war! James wondered if his old friend had changed any from when they last met in person. Letting his tiredness finally get the better of him James allowed his eyes to close slowly.

Balda Bay Colony, Side 6
11th June UC 0079

James Keffer walked onto the peaceful plaza and took in the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the place. Here in Side 6 it hardly seemed like there was a war raging in the Earth Sphere. Sure there were some limitations on what foodstuffs that was normally imported but by and large the people made do. He ran a hand through his hair and started to walk down a small flight of steps into an area dominated by a café with alfresco seating.

The other members of his flight had gathered around a table on the far left hand side of the seating area. It didn't take James long to realise why they'd chosen that position. On the extreme right hand side was a table occupied by three Zeon officers. There was a no man's land between the two groups as no civilians wanted to get caught in any potential trouble. James didn't blame them; he thought that whoever's bright idea it was to allow both Earth Federation personnel and Zeons in the same colony should be shot.

From the Federal table Wendy Lockhart waved at James and beckoned him to come and join them. James waved back and taking one last look at the Zeons he started walking towards his comrades. Just as James was moving his head away the Zeon who's back had been towards James moved enough for his face to be seen. James stopped dead in his tracks; he starred at the Zeon officer and couldn't believe his eyes. Surely it couldn't be him, what were the chances of them meeting here and now; it was unbelievable. One of the other Zeons must have said something funny because now James could hear that distinctive laughter which he'd known so well during his childhood. He was sure it was him and thus he started striding towards the Zeon's table.

The Zeon officers were getting ready to leave when James reached their table. They either hadn't noticed him or were ignoring him since he was able to get within a few feet of them. At this close range James was positive of the identity of his target.

He tapped the Zeon officer on their shoulder and said, "Excuse me you appear to have forgotten something," As the Zeon turned to look back James punched him with all his might in the face. Not only did the punch send the Zeon officer down to the ground it also drew blood.

The two other Zeons span around to see what had happened. One of them instantly went for his pistol but the officer James had punched intervened by yelling, "Stop! Put that away, and stand down," He slowly stood up and pulled a handkerchief from a pocket to wipe the blood away. He then brushed some dirt off his uniform and shock some more from his black hair. "Well James it has been a while hasn't it." said Anthony Curran.

"Not long enough you traitorous bastard," snapped James, anger flowed through him like a torrent.

"I thought you were a militia pilot back home," said Anthony. He righted a chair and sat on it, he didn't see the need to stand during the inevitable argument. "I would never have thought you capable of joining the Earth Federation Space Forces."

"It's a little hard to be a militiaman around our old haunts. If I spent too much time there I think I'd start to glow," venom dripped from every word of James' reply.

Anthony's determined stance seemed to drop for a moment when he heard that. "Yes that was somewhat unfortunate."

"Unfortunate? How could you possibly say that?" said James with utter disbelief in his voice. "They're all dead Anthony! My family, your family everyone we knew. They're all dead!"

"The Side had been corrupted by collaborators, it had to be purified to facilitate spacenoid independence," replied Anthony with a new passion and vigour to his voice. "It's unfortunate but it was the only way."

"Listen to yourself Anthony! You're just spewing propaganda. Your Zeon buddies slaughtered billions of innocence civilians. There only crime was being spacenoids living in Earth Federation controlled colonies." countered James. "Is that how Zeon plans on granting freedom to all spacenoids by killing them all?"

"The weak must be removed to make room for the strong," said Anthony, "It's the only way for Zeon to break the Federation's oppressive hold on the colonies."

"Was your mother weak Anthony? Was mine? Were any of the families weak?" James yelled the last part, trying to hammer home his point. "I was there; I saw what you murderers were doing."

"I was there as well James!" replied Anthony. "I saw the mighty Earth Federation Space Forces cowering and using the colonies as shields against our attacks."

"We were protecting the colonies," snapped James, "All I remember is the whole damned Zeek fleet throwing nukes around like there was no tomorrow. Is that how Zeon solves all their problems? You can't beat the Earth Federation Space Forces in a fair fight so you nuke it instead?"

"How dare you even suggest that your corrupt Federation was protecting the colonies." snarled Anthony. "All they care about is protecting their own hides, what more can up expect from an oppressive regime like that."

"The Federation might not be perfect," replied James calmly. "But at least it's better than some authoritarian dictatorship like Zeon. You're fighting the wrong war Anthony. If Zeon wins all you'll have achieved is to replace the Federation with a far worse Zeon dictatorship, is that what you really want for the colonies?"

"You're blind James, you don't understand Zeon like I do," said Anthony. "Once we defeat the Federation the colonies will be free, all you know is the Federation's propaganda."

"You had better watch out Anthony because we're coming and your pitiful principality won't be able to hold out." said James. His eyes were burning passion and an absolute confidence in what he believed. "We'll smash every one of you asteroids fortresses and if needs be I'll tear apart every single colony in Side 3 unlike Zeon is dead. And if I come across you Anthony I'll show you the same level of compassion and mercy as Zeon showed the spacenoids of Sides 1, 2, 4 and 5."

AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, On route to the Side 3 border
10th September UC 0087

The mission to Side 2 ended without any problems. The St Joseph Express was able to deploy the automated defence platforms with only one hiccup. During the seeding operation and unidentified shuttle approached the area. Richard Vaughn, who had been patrolling at the time, fired a few warning shots to scare them away. Unfortunately he accidentally hit the shuttle, damaging its apogee motors, further investigate revealed the shuttle was carrying at delegation from the Side 2's Mayor's office who had come out to examine AEUG's defensive measures. Captain Jellico's quickly applied diplomatic intervention was able to avoid a serious bit of bad PR.

Now the pilots of the Valiant were once again gathered in the briefing room while James Keffer and Captain Jellico disclosed to them the details of their mission to Side 3.

"Now I'm sure you can understand this is why Lieutenant Junior Grade Williams and his companions were assigned to the Valiant," said Jellico. "They know this bit of space and I'm sure their experience will be valuable."

Williams raised a hand to ask a question, Jellico nodded an approval for him to speak. "Do we have a plan yet Sir as to how we are going to take down the Perseus?"

"We have some ideas," replied Keffer. "However I am open to any suggestions."

This time it was Jason Raynor who raised a hand. "Well Sir I was thinking we could recreate our first mission." There seemed to be a few moments of unspoken conversation between Keffer and Raynor before he continued. "After all we are packing a few clay bazookas."

"You are thinking on the same wavelength as the Captain and myself, Jason," said Keffer. "And that is currently our number one plan."

"I appear to be missing something here," commented Williams. "How does your first mission apply to this situation?"

"We used the adhesive munitions for the clay bazooka to snag some GM IIs while they were patrolling the Sea of Solomon," said Raynor. "It was a ballsy mission but we got five GM IIs out of it. I think we can use the clay bazookas to clog up the cruisers' engines and trap their mobile suits in the hanger."

Seeing that Williams was satisfied with that answer Jellico decided to call the briefing to a close. "Well gentlemen I suggest you set up some drills and start trying out this strategy. It won't be long until we reach Side 3 and our hunt begins."