Chapter 6: Nightmare Unleashed

Elsewhere in space, at Lagrange Point 3 lies the mining asteroid of Tarawa which has 3 smaller asteroids connected to it. An Earth Federation fleet, consisting of 6 older Magellan Kai-class battleships and 2 Lombardia-class cruisers, are patrolling in the asteroid's vicinity. However, unbeknownst to them, they are being watched from the asteroid's surface. Hiding inside the second asteroid's supply dock are 6 mobile suits, 3 of which are GuAIZ types and the others are Geara Doga's. They watch on as the fleet suddenly stops and begin to slowly turn away from Tarawa. "Hmph, they must've gotten wind of what's happening in L2. Good, we'll begin the operation now." The pilot in the lead GuAIZ opens a storage container to his right and picks up a rail bazooka. The others also arm themselves with the same weapon.

"Lieutenant, are you sure we can do this by ourselves? They've got 8 ships."

"They're antiques, Ensign. We only need to deal with those Lombardia's and we win. Remember, the Crimson Knight destroyed 6 of those in a single battle during the last war."

"Come on, don't compare us to him Sir."

"Have some confidence. Let's go." The six machines begin their approach, passing transport ships as they glide out of the port. "We'll stay close to Tarawa as long as we can, then we'll attack. Remember, speed is key here. Getting past those Magellan's won't be a problem if we go below them. Viper Team, commence attack!"

"Yes, Sir!" The lead GuAIZ begins to accelerate, followed by the others.

At that moment, the fleet flagship, the Lombardia-class Bolivar, is immediately alerted to their approach. "Captain, unknown mobile suits detected behind us!"

"Unknown? Where did they come from?"

"From Tarawa, Sir."

"But how can that be? We checked the entire asteroid and there was no sign of anything out of the ordinary."

"They must've hidden in the loading dock, that area is fully automated."

"I see, commence counterattack. Level 1 battle stations!"

As the fleet puts up a barrage of AA at the mobile suits, they skillfully evade the incoming fire and fly below the Magellan's which have formed a defensive ring around the cruisers. The Viper Team leader, in his orange GuAIZ takes aim at the Bolivar with his rail bazooka and fires 3 times in rapid succession as his teammates do the same. The electro-magnetically accelerated shells almost instantly hit their targets, leaving both Lombardia's dead in the water. The mobile suits then begin to climb with maximum thrust but at the tail-end of the formation, one of the Geara Doga's takes a direct hit from one of the Lombardia's Jegan's. As the beam hits it directly through the upper torso, it's reactor instantly explodes, vaporizing 4 Jegan's who were pursuing them and severely damaging the adjacent Magellan, destroying its deck cannons and portside hull. As the remaining mobile suits retreat beyond the fleet's firing range, the team leader looks back at the damage they caused. "Good job Viper Team."

"We lost Ronald though."

"Yeah…but at least he took some with him. All right, let's get back to the ship, we'll leave the rest to our guys in Tarawa. This should make the assault on the Orbital Defense Ring a little easier."

"Those earthnoids are going to pay for assassinating the Emperor!"

"You said it."

Back in Tarawa, the EFSF fleet has come to a standstill as they try to repair the damaged ships. Suddenly, the Bolivar's CIC notices multiple objects approaching them. "Captain, 6 unknown targets approaching…from Tarawa!"

"Tarawa? What are they?"

"They're too fast to be mobile suits…they're projectiles!"

"All hands, brace for impact!" At that moment, a shell flies cleanly through the bridge one of the Magellan's, tearing it off from the rest of the ship before another shell makes a direct hit on the other Lombardia, destroying the cruiser instantly. "What was that attack?! Status report!"

"Sir, the fleet's been hit by some sort of cannon or railgun. They were fired from Tarawa, look here." The ship's main screen zooms towards Tarawa, revealing multiple rail and beam cannon's being deployed from the mining asteroid's ports, followed by 5 formations of Geara Doga's.

"Those bastards! They've turned Tarawa in to a fortress!"

"Second volley incoming!" Just then, a railgun fired shell strikes the last Lombardia directly in the main engines, engulfing the ship in a nuclear explosion.

…

As the battles on L2 and 3 continue, back in Earth's orbit, lies the massive Orbital Defense Ring. Built after the war to protect the Earth from another colony drop, it consists of 12 white ball-shaped stations, connected by a ring structure, that runs around the entire circumference of the Earth, along the equator. Each station is heavily armed and armored and each has its own port facilities and mobile suit hangars. One of these stations is Station Armstrong, the main command center of the ring and the space fleets.

Inside the central bridge of the station, the atmosphere is frantic as reports from L2 and L3 begin flooding in. Then, a man in his mid-fifties wearing an admiral's uniform enters the large, two storied bridge. As he sits down on a chair overlooking the bridge, a commander immediately salutes him. "Fleet Admiral Patterson! I thought you were on leave."

"There's no time for leave with the situation we have in our hands. Status report, Commander Wells"

"Ah…yes, well…we have received reports that the Lunar fleet has been engaged in the shoal zone. Nothing has been confirmed regarding the identity of the attacker or their numbers."

"There's no need to confirm anything Commander, we know exactly who is attacking them."

"Sir?"

"Only the Colonial Empire would be able to attack like that. They love using sneak attacks against our superior fleet. Anything else?" The admiral says casually.

"Yes, Sir…we've also learned that a detachment from the 2nd Orbital Fleet has come under fire from mobile suits and what appear to be artillery units from within the Tarawa mining asteroid."

"I see…very well. It seems our opponent is afraid of attacking us directly. We'll leave the Lunar Fleet to deal with L2 and 3. Inform the other stations to go to DEFCON 5 immediately." The admiral's words silence the bridge as the commander looks at him disbelief.

"But…but Sir, going to DEFCON 5 would require the approval of the EF Security Council and the Chief Representative!"

"I have brought the required approval with me, Commander." Admiral Patterson hands the lieutenant sealed orders which contain the approval to increase readiness. "Have them relayed to the stations and the other admirals. We have little time."

"Sir, if I may ask, how did they approve this so quickly? I thought Chief Representative Benitez was vehemently against acts of aggression."

"Yes, and I agree with him, but we have no idea how the Empire will respond to their leader's death. And those demands are simply ridiculous. In this situation, it is preferable to strike first, rather than be the ones attacked, wouldn't you agree?"

"Well…yes, Sir." Then, a communication officer runs up to the upper bridge and hands the lieutenant a printed message.

"Commander Wells, we just received this transmission from the Colonial Empire."

"Understood, oh and take these sealed orders. They need to be relayed to the other stations immediately."

"Yes, Sir."

"What transmission was he talking about, Commander?"

"Let me see…" But before Wells can read the paper, alarms begin to echo across the bridge.

"What's going on here?!" Admiral Patterson stands up, slightly losing his composure.

"Status report!"

"Sir, our long-range sensors have picked up a formation of ships approaching the Defense Ring!"

"Can you identify them?" Wells asks and a lieutenant, in charge of the stations CIC, orders his operators to show the ships on the large holographic display in the center of the bridge. As the picture becomes clearer, the admiral's eyes widen in shock.

"Identities confirmed, they are ships belonging to the Colonial Empire. 10 ships in total. 5 Nazca-class, 4 Endra-class and…one Sadalahn-class."

Commander Wells instantly recognizes the last ship. "A Sadalahn…it's the Maelstrom, the Emperor's flagship."

"What does it matter if it's their flagship. What can they possibly hope to achieve with just 10 ships?"

"Fleet Admiral Patterson, the enemy flagship isn't responding to our hails, what should we do?"

"Not responding…Give me that!" He grabs the printed message the Commander was about to read and reads it out loud.

"Since you have refused to agree to our demands and have not responded to our attempts to negotiate, you give Us no choice but respond in kind. As this message is being transmitted, we have already dispatched our Space Fleet. Know that what follows from here on, is solely the fault of the Earth Federation." The admiral's face becomes contorted from anger and hits his left side armrest. "Damn those arrogant Spacenoids! They think they can just move their fleet here without an official declaration of war and start threatening us?! Damn them! Commander Wells!"

"Yes, Sir?"

"It appears we are once again at war…"

"Uhm, yes Sir."

"As Fleet Admiral, I will issue the following: The Orbital Defense Ring is to initiate Earth Defense Protocol. DEFCON 5 is also approved."

"Yes, understood." Commander Wells takes a microphone and contacts all the stations, repeating the admiral's words.

"Send out everything we have. I want them crushed with overwhelming force."

"Admiral, should we request reinforcements from the Lunar Fleet?"

"We don't need their help to destroy 10 ships!"

"Ah…yes sir."

…

As the EFSF begins their attack, down in Taranto, Akito has been standing on the empty runway, staring into the fading night sky. The lights he saw in the distance have intensified and it makes him feel uncomfortable. "Are they already fighting in space? No way…" He looks up in disbelief but then, the base alarm goes off once again. Akito notices the large anti-air cannons and missile batteries coming to life around the base, but not a single soldier is staffing them. Without a second thought, he runs back to the elevator and goes down to the hangar level where he meets Michael and Jacky, who have just left their MS cockpits.

"Dude, where were you?"

"I was gonna go back to the barracks but then I saw something." Michael and Jacky notice the worry in Akito's eyes.

"What did you see?"

"Lights, in space. They were clear as day."

"Lights? Are you sure you're not talking about the Orbital Defense Ring?"

"No, they weren't from the Ring. They were further than that."

"Then…you're not thinking what I'm thinking right?"

"Don't tell me, they've started fighting in space?"

"I really hope not Jacky…but…" Akito clenches his fist in frustration, but they are interrupted by the base commander's voice over the intercom.

"Attention all base personnel. We have just received the following message from EFSF Earth Command: "At 05:45 AM GMT, the Colonial Empire has begun an attack with their Space Fleet against the Orbital Defense Ring. While they have not made an official declaration of war, this can only be interpreted as such." We are now officially at war with the Colonial Empire. This however does not affect this base's schedule. However, we have no idea if the Empire's Sleepers will attack so I have issued an evacuation order for the city of Taranto, if the worst-case scenario occurs. I ask that you all remain calm. Captain Renner, please come to the control booth immediately. There are important matters we must discuss. That is all."

The base commander's announcement causes silence to fall on the hangar. Dean, who was just arguing with Kosuke, seems overjoyed, to the dismay of his fellow pilots. "Hah, finally we can get some action!"

"Dean, you do realize what's happening right?"

"Yeah, we get to fight ourselves a war. And I don't have to waste ammo on some Sleepers."

"Right…" Kosuke shakes his head and walks over to the Astraea to speak with the mechanic. Michael meanwhile is furious over Dean's comments.

"Does that guy even understand what's going on?" He clenches his fists, but Akito stops him from going to him.

"Don't bother Michael. The last thing you wanna do right now is to argue with him."

"Yeah but…"

"Akito's right, we need to concentrate. Let's keep helping the mechanics until everything's ready, okay?"

"You're right Jacky. Let's do this." Michael sighs and calms down. He then returns to assist the mechanics swarming his Kyrios. Jacky watches on but Akito notices that she is trying stop herself from crying.

"Jacky…?"

"I…I know I said that to Michael but…I'm scared Akito. Why are we at war again?"

"I don't know…but I understand how you feel. Nobody wants war, except that Mr. Crewcut over there."

"I don't get it…I just don't...sorry I need to go…" Jacky starts to run towards a waiting room next to the elevator, leaving Akito to stand alone in the middle of the hangar. He shakes his head and goes to help the mechanics with the Strike E.

…

Up in space, the two opposing forces have begun to fire at each other. The Colonial Empire's fleet has arranged itself into a diamond formation with the smaller ships surrounding the Maelstrom. Meanwhile, the EFSF has deployed both the stations own mobile suits as well as the Orbital Fleet which is however, underpowered due to the loss of the two Lombardia-class cruisers at L3. As more and more mobile suits and ships begin to form a defensive line between the Colonial fleet and the station, Fleet Admiral Patterson starts feeling more confident about the battle. "Those foolish colonials, they have no chance against the Orbital Fleet."

"Admiral, should we send the mobile suits to attack the enemy fleet?"

"Do it, I want this battle to be quick, but painful, to them."

"Roger. All mobile suits, begin attack." Upon the commander's orders, a swarm of 105 Daggers, Jegan's, GM III's and ReZEL's takes off from the various ship's as well as from the station itself. As they approach, they are met by both beam fire from the Colonial ships but also by multiple mobile suits, consisting of GuAIZ's, Geara Doga's and Zulu's and older Rick Dom II's and B-type Zaku II FZ's. A huge melee erupts just in-front of the Colonial fleet as both sides try to by-pass each other's defense.

Aboard the Maelstrom, which dwarfs the rest of the fleet, is Grand Admiral Malcom Scipio, who is in command of the operation. Soon, he is joined on the bridge by Archduke Gilliam and the silver-haired young man. "Your Excellency! I wasn't expecting you to join us on the bridge."

"Well Scipio, my old friend, Crown Prince Rainier was quite insistent on coming here."

"I do believe this was your idea, Uncle? And besides, this isn't the first time I've been in combat." The young man says while crossing his arms.

"But the view from the bridge of the flagship is very different from the view within a mobile suit, is it not?"

"Say what you want Uncle, but I prefer the mobile suit personally. Admiral Scipio, is everything going according to plan?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Operation 'Judgement' is going according to schedule. We have tied up the stations defense force. I guess dangling the Imperial flagship right before them is too attractive of a target for Fleet Admiral Patterson."

"He is an overweight fool who only gained his position through connections. He has never even been in actual combat. I expect that you can clear this first hurdle without much trouble?"

"Of course, Archduke. We will begin Phase 2 shortly."

"Good, it's about time we showed those arrogant earthnoids that their 'Invincible' Ring is already antiquated." The Archduke smiles confidently.

Below both fleets, a formation of five ships is slowly moving towards the Orbital Defense Ring. Leading them is a Rewloola-class fast attack battleship, followed by 4 Musaka-class cruisers. The ships maneuver into position, a 45-degree angle with their bows pointing at Armstrong station. The Captain aboard the Rewloola then gives the order to attack.

"All ships, commence Phase 2: disengage optical camouflage, accelerate to combat speed and deploy our mobile suits. Our target is the ring itself." He sits down on his chair and contacts one of the mobile suit pilots waiting in the hangar.

"Viper 1, do you remember your target?"

"Yes, Sir. My team will attack the MS hangars from the inside."

"Excellent, I'm expecting great things from you, Lieutenant Harris."

"Thank you, Sir. We won't let you down."

"Now then, begin attack!" As the Captain issues his order, the five ship's remove their camouflage and charge towards the unsuspecting station. Inside Armstrong, the Fleet Admiral is feeling ever more confident in his chair.

"Haven't we already broken through their defense, Commander Wells?"

"No sir."

"Hmph, well tell them to hurry up. We can't waste our time fighting some small fry."

"Fleet Admiral! Five ships are approaching from below the station!" A CIC operator frantically shouts.

"Below?! How did they get there?!"

"Hmm…Sir, I think the Colonial Empire is using some sort of optical camouflage. This attack pattern seems very similar to the one that the Lunar Fleet encountered at L2."

"Don't be ridiculous Commander Wells! There is no way that those spacenoids have developed a stealth system for their ships! They aren't that intelligent! Send out mobile suits to destroy them!"

"We can't."

"What do you mean?!"

"You ordered all of the stations MS to attack the flagship." The admiral bites his lip and begins to sweat profusely.

"Argh…then divert the other stations mobile suits to engage them!"

"Yes, Sir." Commander Wells issues the order, but in his mind, he begins to doubt the admiral's actions. "Does this man have any idea of what we're dealing with?"

…

As the battle rages on in-front of the station, a third detachment of ships is slowly making their way towards the battlefront. Among them is a massive ship, far larger than the Maelstrom. Next to it is a smaller, silver and blue colored ship, about the same size as the Edelweiss. It has large wings tucked under its smooth hull and three MS catapults, though the middle one is smaller than the others. Inside, a brown-haired youthful man wearing a silver, slightly ornated mask over his eyes and a crimson Imperial Commander's outfit, enters the bridge and floats next to the captain's seat. In it, sits a woman in her late twenties. She has reddish hair, a beauty mark on her left cheek and a stern, strained look on her face. She also wears a dark red captain's uniform and hat. "You seem worried, Captain Kujo." The masked man slightly surprises the Captain but she quickly regains her composure.

"I'm not worried, Commander Heinel. Nervous, maybe, but not worried." She adjusts her hat slightly.

"I know how you feel Captain. This is the first deployment not only for the Dianna but also for you and your crew, not to mention the pilots."

"Which makes you the most experienced hand aboard this ship." Captain Kujo gives the Commander a cheeky smile.

"Oh please, I joined the military only two years before you, Captain."

"Well, I didn't expect the Crimson Knight to be so humble."

"I'd appreciate if you wouldn't call me that. I hate nicknames."

"Oh, I see…" The Captain chuckles and looks on at the chaos unfold far in-front of them.

"Captain, we are receiving a message from the Gondwana." The ship's communications operator informs the Captain.

"Understood. Put it through."

"Captain Kujo."

"Admiral Wellbeck, what is it, Sir?"

"We have received new orders regarding your ship from Operations Command. Unfortunately, you are not to participate in Operation 'Judgement'."

"What? Why?"

"The Dianna is to remain in the rear of the formation until Phase 3 is complete. Your ship has been issued a specific target on Earth that must be dealt with. You will receive the details regarding the target later. But for now, remain in the rear of the formation and do not engage except if I allow it, understood?"

"…Understood."

"Good. I wish you the best of luck." As the transmission ends, Captain Kujo clenches her right fist slightly.

"The Dianna is the fleet's latest and most advanced ship and yet we aren't allowed to join in the battle…"

"Now, now, there's no need to be angry about this. Admiral Wellbeck seems very confident that Phase 3 will go through without a hitch."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm referring to the EFSF's nuclear weapons stashed inside those stations." The Captain's face turns slightly pale from Heinel's comment.

"You don't think they'll…?"

"I doubt it but, that all depends on who is in charge…"

…

At Armstrong station, the battle has turned on its head. The fast attack force, led by the Rewloola, has caused severe damage to the station's lower section and the connecting joints between it and the adjacent Gagarin station. Also, the Empire's Viper Team has wreaked havoc within the station's mobile suit hangars and battleship docks, forcing damaged MS to seek repairs from the Gagarin. Meanwhile, the Maelstrom-led center force has remained relatively untouched, despite two of the Endra's having been forced to retreat. They have however shot down almost a third of the attacking mobile suits and have sunk parts of the Orbital Fleet, mainly because of the Maelstrom's long-range heavy mega-particle cannons. Inside the Armstrong's bridge, Fleet Admiral Patterson is losing his nerve over the change in fortune. "How is this possible?! What are the other stations doing? Where's the support?!"

"Sir, the enemy's Rewloola-class has completely blocked us off from the Gagarin." Wells replies.

"Then what about the Aldrin? Surely they can provide assistance?"

"They are under attack from the Maelstrom's cannons, they are just about holding on themselves."

"DAMMIT! HOW CAN THIS BE! HOW ARE THESE SPACENOIDS ACTUALLY OVERWHELMING THE ORBITAL DEFENSE RING?!" The admiral's raving causes distress among the bridge operators but Commander Wells tries to calm him down.

"Admiral, should we perhaps begin preparations to evacuate the station?"

"Evacuate?!" Patterson stares at Wells with maddened eyes. "You coward! We are not evacuating this station. No…we will use our nuclear arsenal to destroy those spacenoids!" He words stun the bridge and especially Wells.

"What are you talking about Admiral?! We would need the approval of the Security Council to use them!"

"My approval is more than enough! Those fools on the ground know nothing about what is happening."

"I…I cannot follow such an order Admiral." Wells stands his ground, and the irate admiral grabs him by the collar.

"Are you refusing MY order? I AM THE FLEET ADMIRAL DAMMIT! WHAT I SAY, GOES!" Before their argument goes out of hand, the stations communications officer shouts over them.

"Admiral!"

"WHAT IS IT?!"

"We've lost all contact with Earth." The officer's words send chills down the spine of everyone in the bride. Patterson lets go off Wells and stares at the officer with a shocked expression.

"What…what do you mean lost?"

"Just now, we lost the Earth data feed and all communications to HQ. All other stations are reporting the same problem." The admiral slumps down on his chair as another explosion rocks the station.

"That's not possible…what does that mean…"

"It means, Sir, that we are on our own. Something must've happened to the satellite relay stations back on Earth." Patterson remains silent and stares silently at the floor. "Admiral! Please, give the order to evacuate!"

"No…we will launch the nuclear warheads."

"You can't be serious Admiral!"

"I am serious! If we have lost all communications with Earth, then all the more reason for us to use them. We'll launch them at their fleet and wipe them out. Inform the other stations to do the same!"

"Admiral, you are not thinking straight!"

"My mind is clear! We cannot afford to lose now! I have been humiliated by these…these…inferior space rats! GIVE THE ORDER, Commander."

"Sir…"

"Are you a soldier of the Earth Federation or are you a coward, who fled under enemy fire?!" Wells stares at the Admiral and stiffens.

"Yes, understood sir."

"Good, don't worry, we WILL be victorious." Wells salutes and walks over to the communications officer to relay the order. However, he also sends a silent evacuation order to the station's staff.

"Sir, the missiles are ready to be fired in 5 minutes."

"Excellent. Move the launch trigger up here. I will personally send those space rats to their graves."

Aboard the Maelstrom, Grand Admiral Scipio, accompanied by Crown Prince Rainier and Archduke Gilliam, observe the on-going battle. "Hmm, it never seizes to amaze me how poorly organized the Federation's forces are. Does the Fleet Admiral not realize he is in a disadvantage?" Gilliam says as another Federation ship falls prey to the Maelstrom's cannons.

"Someone with no knowledge of fighting battles should never be allowed to the position he is."

"Indeed, Your Highness. It's a shame really, they are sacrificing so many lives."

"Admiral, are you showing compassion for our enemy?"

"Only from a soldier's point of view. They are after all the ones who have to do the fighting. That's not something you have experienced from behind your fancy desk." Scipio's jab infuriates Rainier.

"Grand Admiral, that was uncalled for."

"It's all right Rainier. He has a point: unnecessary sacrifice of soldiers, regardless of allegiance, is never commendable." Their conversation is cut short when the ships coms. officer gestures to the admiral.

"Admiral Scipio, we have a message from the Gondwana. They will enter within firing range in 10 minutes."

"Excellent. Once the Gondwana is in position, this battle is over." Scipio moves closer to the bridge's window while the Archduke and Crown Prince remain in the back.

"Sir, we are receiving an emergency transmission from the Rewloola."

"An emergency message?"

"Their mobile suit teams have detected nuclear missiles being loaded to the stations silos."

"What?!"

"What is this about nuclear missiles, Admiral?" The Archduke approaches Scipio who has a stern look on his face.

"It looks like Patterson is getting desperate. All right, relay this order to the entire fleet: All ships are to assume defensive formation 2, withdraw all mobile suits to within the fleet perimeter. Have the Stampeder Force move to the front to intercept them."

"Yes, Sir."

"If at least one of those stampeder's survive, the missiles won't reach us." Scipio says and looks on as the fleet begins to pulls back.

"Stampeder's are in position, Admiral."

"Good, once they detect the launch, they have to let them get at as close as possible so the burst won't detonate the station along with the missiles.

On the bridge of the Armstrong, Commander Wells watches on as the Fleet Admiral takes the missile launch trigger into his hands.

"Admiral, the missiles are now ready to be launched." He says with a solemn voice. As the Admiral is fixated on the trigger, he doesn't notice that the bridge crew is slowly evacuating right before his eyes.

"Now, let us end this battle with victory. And once we have destroyed their fleet, we'll use the remaining missiles to destroy their colonies!"

"This man is beyond insane…"

"It's time to send them all to hell!" Patterson pulls the trigger, and 40 laser-guided nuclear missiles are fired from the stations facing the attack, Armstrong, Gagarin and Aldrin. The other base commanders as well as all the other Federation soldiers in the battle watch in awe as the missiles are laser-guided to their target, the Maelstrom. However, their awe is soon turned to disbelief as two Nazca-class destroyers move in-front of the flagship. Both ships are equipped with massive devices in their bows, which resemble satellites. Right before the missiles reach their target, the Nazca's fire their Neutron Stampeder's, unleashing a burst of free neutron's, which causes the missiles to prematurely detonate. While the energy wave doesn't reach the station, all Federation ships and MS caught within the burst are vaporized, destroying another quarter of the fleet and leaving the station wide open. Within it, the Fleet Admiral cannot believe his eyes.

"How…what…what happened?!"

"So, they have counter-measures against nuclear weapons as well…"

"NO, NO, NO! HOW COULD THIS BE?! THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE!" Patterson shouts and turns towards Wells. "Order another launch, right now!"

"It wouldn't make a difference, Sir! Their counter-measures will just destroy them again and we'll more friendly troop! Please Admiral, we need to evacuate. This battle is lost!"

Patterson immediately grabs Wells by the collar but the Commander stares defiantly into his enraged eyes."YOU DAMN COWARD! I AM NOT GOING TO TURN TAIL AND HIDE FROM THE SPACENOIDS! IF THE RING FALLS..." then, the enraged Fleet Admiral realizes that the entire bridge is empty. "Wha…where are all the operators?!"

"I've ordered this base to evacuate. We are the only ones left here."

"You…YOU INSUBORDINATE FOOL! YOU'VE DISOBEYED MY ORDERS! YOU WILL BE COURT-MARTIALED, WELLS!" The Admiral pulls out his pistol and points it at the Commander but before he can do anything else, both notice something happening with the enemy's fleet: The Maelstrom-led center force splits in two and from behind them, appears an even bigger warship. As it de-cloaks, it's size becomes all too apparent: it's twice the height of the station and over a kilometer long. "What the hell is that?!"

"It's a gigantic carrier…I'm guessing it's their secret weapon…"

"Fi…fire more missiles!"

"There's no point anymore Admiral. We need to evacuate!"

"I refuse to run away! This was supposed to be my day of glory! I was supposed to lead this fleet to a grand victory! Yet I've been let down by un-qualified subordinates!"

"You're the only on here who is un-qualified!" Wells says and makes a run for the last emergency escape pod.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Patterson starts shooting at the Commander but he misses.

"If you wish to die, then die by yourself. I will live and fight another day!

"Coward!" His words go on deaf ears as Wells closes the hatch behind him and launches in the escape pod, towards the Gagarin. Patterson is left alone on the bridge and stares at the behemoth approaching him. He then runs over to a command console and begins typing frantically. "Purge…I will purge the station…Yes…I'll purge it and escape…I will be victorious!

…

Aboard the Gondwana, Admiral Wellbeck is contacted by Grand Admiral Scipio. "Admiral Wellbeck, you are authorized to commence Phase 3."

"Understood Sir." He presses a button on his armrest and contacts CIC. "CIC, prepare Stonehenge for firing. 1 shot should be enough."

"Yes, Sir."

A large dome in the rear-lower hull of the megacarrier folds back, revealing three massive rail cannons. Each one is mounted on individual turntables which in turn are connected to a large single turntable. One cannon is rotated to position with its long barrel pointing forward, aimed at the connecting section between the Armstrong and the Aldrin. "Move the fleet away from the line of fire." As per his order, the Colonial fleet and their mobile suits retreat back behind the carrier, confusing the remaining Federation forces.

"Stonehenge ready to fire at 60% voltage. Targetting the station connection joints."

"Excellent. Fire when ready." Just as the Gunnery officer prepares to fire, the Armstrong shudders. It begins to separate itself from the Gagarin and Aldrin but because of the damage sustained from the fast-attack force, only the section connecting it to the Gagarin breaks off. The locks on the Aldrin's side do not open due to damage and the station becomes misaligned with the rest of the ring, moving directly in the rain cannon's line of fire. From the window of his escape pod, Wells watches in horror as the station's Orbital Maneuvering System tries in-vain to pull away from the Aldrin.

"That madman, he actually tried to purge the station…"

"FIRE!" Just then, the Stonehenge fires a single shot but because of the failed purge, instead of cleanly hitting the connection joint, it strikes the Armstrong head-on. The impact is so strong that it pushes the station towards the Earth and its gravity well begins to drag it down, along with the Aldrin, still fully manned. Realizing the magnitude of the situation, the commander aboard the Akiyama, the station next to the Aldrin, disconnects his station. He and everyone else present, regardless of what side they are on, can only watch as the Armstrong and Aldrin fall to Earth.

Due to the damage it sustained, the Armstrong splits in two and disintegrates in the atmosphere but the Aldrin remains intact and hits the South Atlantic, creating a mega-tsunami that destroys the coastlines of all the surrounding landmasses, sinking the Falkland Islands, St. Helena and the Ascension Islands along with many others. It then travels north, devastating everything along its path.

Aboard the Maelstrom, both Grand Admiral Scipio and Crown Prince Rainier are visibly shaken from what they're witnessing but Archduke Gilliam remains remarkably calm. "That damn Patterson, was he trying to purge the station? Unbelievable…"

"Admiral, we are receiving information from the Sleepers on Earth. They are reporting that the Aldrin has generated a mega-tsunami in the Southern-Atlantic."

"My god…"

"Admiral, there is no need to feel remorse about happened."

"Archduke, did you not see what happened? That wasn't according to plan."

"This isn't the first time Earth has been hit by a man-made object. Besides, it was clearly the Federation's fault for trying to separate the station like that. So, let us not dwell on this any longer. I don't need to remind you what the Federation has done to us?"

"Of course not!"

"Good, then you may begin landing the troops. And tell the Gondwana to move into position for orbital bombardment. We'll need to soften their defenses."

"Yes Archduke." Gilliam nods and leaves the bridge, followed by Rainier.

"What's on your mind, Prince?"

"No, it's just…I'm still quite overwhelmed by what I saw."

"I understand, but don't forget that this all started because the earthnoids killed your father. Never forget that." Rainier looks away from his uncle and clenches his fist slightly. "We will be very busy from now on. After all, this fleet will soon belong to you, the next Emperor."

"Yes, I know…"

The Dianna, which relocated to the rear of the fleet before the Gondwana opened fire, now once again cruises alongside the megacarrier. Up on the bridge, having just witnessed the station's fall, Captain Kujo silently watches as the Space fleet begins moving closer towards Earth. "Well, that was quite the spectacle the EFSF put out for us." Heinel notes as Kujo shudders.

"How many people do you think there where on that station…"

"Are you getting cold feet?"

"Of course not, Commander. I just feel sorry for those poor souls. They died because their commander was incompetent."

"Yes, that's quite true."

"Uhm…Captain?"

"What is it, Crewman Gail?"

"The pilots are trying to contact the bridge again…" Kujo sighs and allows the operator to connect the transmission. On the screen appears a young man, aged 18. He has hazel-colored eyes and short, un-kept black hair. He is wearing a deep blue pilot suit and has a ribbon insignia on his chest. Behind him, sitting on the seats are three other pilots: A girl with goggles and orange-dyed hair kept in a loose ponytail, a bald, short, blue-eyed boy reading a book and another, taller boy with blond hair in a crewcut. They are also wearing different colored pilot suits, with the girl wearing a light pink one, the bald one wearing a cyan suit and the other boy wearing a dark green one. All of them have the same ribbon insignia in their suits.

"Captain, why aren't we allowed to take-off? We wanna join the battle!"

"Ensign Shinjyo, this ship is not part of the attacking fleet. Besides, the battle is already over."

"Over?! Dammit!" Then, the bespectacled girl moves closer to the screen and begins dragging him away from the console.

"Sorry about Shinjyo, Captain."

"Hey, what are doing? Let go…" The transmission ends and some members of the bridge crew chuckle, including the Captain.

"Well at least they're energetic." Heinel says while shaking his head.

"Weren't they handpicked by you, Commander?"

"Yes well, I saw potential in them."

"And they're all top graduates from the Aries colony's military academy."

"True, but going into war with overconfidence will only get you killed. I'll have to remind them of that."

"Captain, we are receiving details regarding our mission."

"Let me see…" The communications operator transfers the order from her own console to the captain's console and she starts inspecting them. "Taranto? They want us to go there?"

"It seems Imperial Command wants to get their hands on some Gründer prototypes…interesting. This'll be a good test for us."

"Helmsman, full speed ahead. We will join the main forces in the orbital drop. Once there, we will begin atmospheric entry."

"Yes, Ma'am, full speed ahead." The Dianna moves past the Gondwana and heads towards the formation of transports swarming around area where the two stations used to be.

Down on Earth, Akito and everyone else on the Edelweiss can only watch as the world is once again engulfed by the flames of war.

END OF PART 1

Note: Part 1 is now done. This chapter had a lot of different ships from various Gundam series, like the Gondwana and Nazca from SEED and the rest being from UC. Also, we were briefly introduced to the Char-Clone of this fic, Commander Heinel and the Edelweiss' Imperial counterpart, the Dianna, which of course is a Minerva-class ship.

Part 2 may begin soon or perhaps later, depending on if my KND burnout goes away, because OP: Beyond is my main priority.