Episode two – Warm Welcome (with Heart of Iron)

13th July 2357 AD

On the surface of Mars, soldiers of United Earth Defense Force are preparing to defend their newly-captured warehouse from another Martian counterattack. Look at their yellow brand with blue stripe in the middle. They're a member of Tonkin Legion, the branch of UEDF Ground Force in Indochina.

While they're manning their positions, the UEDF Officer with black overcoat had arrived on the scene. When he walks in to inspect the warehouse, the young Vietnamese UEDF officer, Lieutenant Nguyen run to him and report.

Lt. Nguyen – "Inspector Courbet! We have faced three waves of Martian counterattacks, but our troops still can hold this position!"

Insp. Courbet – "Very well."

Shortly, everyone heard a sound. It's coming toward their position. And then….

Boom!

Mortar shell lands at a truck. Everyone get down or run to their positions.

Lt. Nguyen – "Điều gì đã xảy ra?" ("What's happened?")

UEDF soldier – "Hỏa đến tấn công!" ("Incoming Martian attack!")

Insp. Courbet – "Hold the lines, at all cost!"

Martian troops are charging toward UEDF position. They wore a red dust camouflage pattern and ties red neck cloth; they have Kharash series assault rifles in their hands. Look like Khmer-rouge in the distant past.

When every UEDF soldiers aimed their rifles and ready to fire, Mortars were loaded with shells. Lt. Nguyen shouts out.

Lt. Nguyen – "Open fire!"

24th June 2357 A.D. It was after the fall of Solar Federation. The Unified Earth State and its military government under the leadership of Marshal Alexander Weissmann aren't been recognized by both Martian and Venusian governments. Martian-Venusian fleet was sent to blockade the Earth.

27th June. The War of Terran Revolution is commenced, shortly after squadrons of Overvis machines from Earth and Moon launched their surprise attack against Martian-Venusian Fleet. Martian-Venusian fleet had been seriously damaged.

In July, Earth's UEDF ground forces launch their invasion against Mars. They can get a little gain and loss many troops to Martian counterattacks. Then finally in 17th of July, UES signed the truce with Martian and Venusian. They will recognize this Earth government, but tensions and distrust are still can be found.

Unified Earth State is a militant state. Its government was civilian/military with military is their core. Their leader is Marshal Alexander Weissmann. They control Earth, Moon and Lagrange Colonies. Many citizens of UES support their state since they're favored by state's policy, "Earth leads Mankind".

On 20th of July, Stellvia's ships are arrived in Earth's space. Everyone can see Earth with newly built Stellvia clearly from their ships.

Squadron of seven Kathy Overvis machines, painted in blue, bearing an Eagle emblem and armed with laser and missiles are flying in V formation and flying toward Stellvia's ships

101S-Leader – "This is 101st squadron of Cronos Wing to incoming ships. Please identify yourself."

Gagarin V – "We are the ships under the command of Foundation II Stellvia, Codenamed Strelka and Gagarin V."

101S-Leader – "Stellvia's ships? Alright, you can continue from this point. Please be safe."

Ayaka points her finger toward new Stellvia.

Ayaka – "There it is! Our Stellvia!"

Jinrai – "Like the old one."

Meanwhile, Kouta and Shima are looking toward Earth; tear is slowly rolled out from Shima's eyes.

Shima – "We have returned finally."

Kouta – "You are crying? Shima-chan?"

Shima – "No… I'm not crying."

She wipes out her tear. Kouta pull her into his embrace.

Kouta – "You can cry out. Everyone have same feeling like you."

Arisa – "And when are you going to kiss each other?"

The couple split immediately. Shima's face is slowly blushes.

Yayoi – "Our shipon is so cute when she in love."

Rinna – "I agree!"

There is one UEDF Battleship floating. It's armed with turrets of triple-barreled plasma cannons as well as Anti-Overvis flak turrets. Looked like Battleship during World War 2. This is UEDS Gaugamela. Marshal Weissmann is currently reading the story of Kouta and Shima in the newspaper in his personal living room in living quarter. Officer appears and walks in.

UEDF Naval Officer – "Sir. Stellvia's ships have entered our space."

Marshal Weissmann – "Well."

He stands up and walks out.

Marshal Weissmann – "Prepare my shuttle… Now."

The Marshal walks to shuttle docking bay along with his bodyguards, eight storm troopers from UEDF Special Warfare Branch.

-Minutes later-

At the bridge of Gagarin V, The officer has got a transmission sent to them.

Officer – "We got a transmission coming in. It's an UEDF."

James – "Patch it through."

The portrait of black uniformed UEDF officer appears on the monitor.

UEDF Officer – "To Gagarin V. This is the shuttle from UEDS Gaugamela. We needs your permission for docking with your ship."

Hutter – "Any reasons?"

Marshal Weissmann walks out and answers with himself.

Marshal Weissmann – "I wished to meet with someone on your ship, Herr Carl Hutter."

James – "Marshal Alexander Weissmann?"

Both James and Hutter were surprised.

UEDF Officer – "Sorry to everyone sir. This is the demand from the Marshal himself."

James – "Permission granted."

Many high profile Stellvia's personnel are gathered at Gagarin V's docking bay. Everyone is having different reactions. Some are exciting, some are anxious and some are feels hesitate.

Shima – "What should we do, Leila-sensei?"

Leila – "You must have to be prepared, Katase-san."

Shima – "Hai!"

Kouta hold her left hand. She blushes a little.

Kouta – "Don't be afraid. I will be with you."

Shima – "Yea. Kouta-kun."

Shuttle's gate opens. Eight UEDF storm troopers walks out and form a line along the walkway, Army camera walks out backward while He's shooting a footage while Marshal Weissmann walking out from the shuttle with his adjutant on his side.

Jinrai speak out his name quietly.

Jinrai – "Alexander Weissmann."

James shakes the Marshal's hand and welcomes him.

James – "Welcome to Gagarin V. Marshal Weissmann."

Marshal Weissmann – "Thanks for welcome. I feel appreciated for your welcoming. It must be a long journey for you from Saturn."

And Marshal Weissmann turns his eyes toward Shima and Kouta.

Marshal Weissmann – "At ease now everyone, you too, Fraulein Katase Shima and Herr Otoyama Kouta."

Shima felt surprised after He called out her name.

Shima – "Ya…. Yes sir!"

Kouta – "You don't need to be strict, Shima-chan."

Shima – "I'm not strict at all, hehe"

Jinrai walks out and questions the Marshal.

Jinrai – "May I ask you a question. Do you have some business here?"

Marshal Weissmann – "Yes I have. I want to meet with the Hero and Heroine of Earth."

He looks at Kouta and Shima.

Marshal Weissmann – "You won't mind to meet with me, right, Fraulein Katase and Herr Otoyama?"

Shima confused when he called her "Fraulein Katase".

Shima – "What did he say?"

-10 minutes later-

Marshal Weissmann is sitting on the sofa in the living room while his adjutant standing right behind him. Kouta and Shima are standing together in a strict manner. While two UEDF storm troopers are guarding the door to this room, Arisa and her friends are trying to approach them.

Arisa – "Can we go in, Mr. Soldier?"

UEDF Soldier – "Sorry sir. We cannot allow that."

Rinna – "Why!"

UEDF Soldier – "Sorry. We have our orders."

Arisa – "Can we listen?"

UEDF Soldier – "Eavesdropping cannot be permitted. If you're committed it, we must arrest you."

Akira – "I don't like this kind of person."

-In the Living Room-

Marshal Weissmann – "I've read your works. You two are the honorably ones."

Kouta – "Sir."

Marshal Weissmann – "Please take your seats. You're student; don't need to be strict like soldier."

Shima – "Hai!"

Shima and Kouta sit down slowly.

Marshal Weissmann – "As your deeds are well-known and acceptable ones. I would like to invite you to join and work with me."

Both of them shocked after they heard that.

Kouta – "Work with you?"

Marshal Weissmann – "Yes, Otoyama-kun. I would like to make you a squadron leader. And you, Katase Shima, I would like to make you an officer of Intelligence section."

Shima – "An officer of Intelligence section?"

Marshal Weissmann – "Have you interested it?"

Shima look at Kouta. Wanting to hear his decision, in her feeling, she wouldn't like to let him work hard again after the mission was over.

Kouta – "I have to…. Refuse… sir."

The Marshal's face is changed from happy to little disappointment.

Adjutant – "How dare you refuse the proposal from the leader of Earth and Moon!"

Marshal Weissmann – "And how dare you speak in that such a manner, to our hero and heroine of Earth!"

Adjutant – "Sorry sir, my marshal."

Marshal Weissmann – "If you wanted that, then I can't force you. But to contribute to your deeds, then I have to give you something."

Then, he snaps his fingers. The officer picks up a box and put it on a table before open it. In that box, there is a two eagle medals inside.

Marshal Weissmann – "This are our highest decoration for Unified Earth State, Hero of the Earth. You two are the second and third candidates who've to receive it; the first was our commander, General De Roulle. I would like to give this to you."

Kouta – "But in fact. We have done this for all of mankind. We are ready to sacrifice everything without demand something from everyone."

Marshal Weissmann – "I would like to let you have it. It should belong to you. Please take it; honor and glory will be yours."

After the meeting, Marshal Weissmann is returning to his shuttle. Before he goes, he turns back to say something to everyone.

Marshal Weissmann – "Thank you for all of your efforts for Earth, thank you very much."

After that, he enters his shuttle, when it's leaving. Shima hold her medal and tear is come out from her eyes.

Shima – "Thank you. Thanks for remember us."

Kouta – "I thinks that He's great."

While the shuttle is flying away from Gagarin V. Marshal Weissmann is still thinking about his speech that he's spoken to Kouta and Shima earlier.

Marshal Weissmann – "On the behalf of Earth and Humanity. I, Marshal Alexander Weissmann, the Supreme leader of military and citizen of Earth and Moon, have to say thank you to you, Katase Shima, Otoyama Kouta along with any other personnel who participated in Great Mission and Genesis Mission. We have to thank you so much, for all of your efforts for the survival and existence of humankind in the present and beyond. Thank you so much."