"No! They can't! Not now!" Garma said, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Well, the thing is, this is what both father and the brass decided."
"Getting promoted to general staff is the last thing I need!" Garma said despairingly, "This is exactly why no one takes me seriously." Garma explained, "You know, they say my only accomplishment was being born into the Zabi family…and I don't want to be outdone by Char or Adrian. I heard they're both getting promoted to Lt. Commander."
"Well, it that's all you're worried about I can easily-"
"It won't matter!" Garma slammed his tea down, "If anything, I'll be an even bigger joke than before. All I've done is watch battles from a safe distance. I haven't even been inside my FS Zaku!"
Dozle scratched his head, he didn't have anything to say in response to that. And he did understand Garma's sentiments.
Garma put his head in his hands, and it was only then Dozle realised he was crying. And as if their feelings were shared, Mineva began to cry quietly as well.
Zenna tapped Dozle's shoulder, and motioned toward Garma. Sighing, Dozle relented.
"Fine, I'll see what I can do…"
Deikun Hall, Zum City
"This is Zeonic National News coming to you live from Deikun Hall, the venue for the Battle of Loum victory celebration and the newly built government building and here are our brave soldiers now…"
Admiral Dozle went up first, leading the parade with a solemn stoic look on his face. Cameras flashed on both sides of his face, but he kept moving forward.
"And here comes the Black Quad-Stars and their leader, the legendary Black Knight Ryan Sahalin!"
Ryan, and his Quad-Stars walked up the red carpet. He walked with a quiet confidence, his face impassive. In contrast, Mash and Ortega were waving and flexing to the crowd, even Gaia made a few poses for the cameras.
"And now, the man who has earned the nom de guerre of the Red Comet, Lt - no, scratch that Lt. Commander Char Aznable!"
Ortega whirled around, but was yanked back sharply by Ryan,
"Come on, don't go picking fights."
"L-lemme go! Why did they promote that brat of all people!?" Ortega yelled as Ryan dragged him away,
"Just enjoy the party…" Ryan sighed,
Ryan sipped his champagne near the refreshments, when a short light blue tuft of hair popped up in front of him. He looked down, where Aina was standing, with a maroon dress with bright pink frills.
"Is it just me or did you get shorter?" Ryan deadpanned,
"You're mean!" Aina pouted, "You're just tall, that's it."
Ryan simply patted her head, "Yes yes. I'm too tall."
Aina looked towards his left arm, "I thought it was in a cast?" She said at last,
"It healed actually." Ryan flexed it, "Hurts a little, but I'm fine."
"You're too nonchalant about this! Don't think I haven't heard, you completely totaled your Mobile Suit!"
Ryan quickly looked to the side, and drank some champagne again.
Before Aina could continue, Ortega walked over, fuming. "I can't believe this?! Why are they heaping all the glory on Char?! We're the ones who captured Revil! We took down the Ananke! And you're the freaking Black Knight! You could beat Char in a one-on-one anyday!"
"I wouldn't bet on the last part." Ryan said, "Besides, Char isn't as bad as you make him out to be."
"Hmph!" Ortega sighed, and Ryan shook his head and walked off,
"Ryan!" A voice came up from behind him,
"Garma," Ryan raised a glass, "How are you enjoying yourself?"
"I'm fine. Thank you," Garma raised his glass, "Not sure if you heard, but I've been assigned to the ZSAF Marines."
"ZSAF Marines?" Ryan raised an eyebrow,
"Yes, unlike fleet battles, conquering colonies is difficult work."
Ryan raised his glass, "I'm sure, hopefully we'll be put together some time. Until then, cheers."
"Cheers indeed." Char came over to them, "Congratulations."
"One day, I'll be able to stand on equal footing with you all." Garma said wistfully,
"Don't try to compare yourself to much to us," Ryan said quietly, "Focus on your own strengths as a leader and tactician."
Garma light up a little bit at that, and Ryan gave him a small smile.
Char watched indifferently as Ryan continued, "You're heading to mop up at Loum, correct?"
Garma nodded, "Where's your next assignment?"
"If the war continues, then I'm likely headed to Moore."
"Side 4? You don't mean the Thunderbolt Sector?"
Even though it was only about three weeks into the war, Side 4 was already famous as the site of a stalemate between Zeonic forces and remnants of the E.F.S.F. Within it, the Thunderbolt Sector was the most active and dangerous sector, it was a shoal zone formed from the debris of destroyed colonies. It was named so due to the electrical discharges that occurred there.
"Most likely," Ryan nodded, "It probably won't be too bad though,
Five days following, Side 5, February 1st - UC 0079
"Get those mortars set up!" A Federation officer ducked as a rocket sailed over his head,
"Enemy landship incoming!" A soldier shouted, right as a shell evaporated the entire position,
Gallop-Class Land Battleship, Driessen
"Advance!" Garma yelled from an open hatch at the top, "501st Infantry Company! Circle around on the left avenue and hit their position from the sides! 21st Armored Company support me and let's hit draw their attention to the front!"
From their flank, a Federation MG crew fired a barrage of bullets at the bridge of the landship. In response, it's right machine cannon opened fire on the ruined apartment complex.
"Let's send these Feddies packing!" Garma yelled,
Luna II
The remnants of the E.F.S.F fleet docked at Luna II with relatively little interference, it seemed that Zeon had decided they weren't worth the trouble after all. They'd been stuck there for the past few weeks since Loum. Regaining their strength and supporting the Side 4 front.
Side 4 was actually where Rose was about to go.
"You heard me correctly, the Thunderbolt Sector." Commander Yi-Lei nodded
Rose gulped, the Thunderbolt was notorious for being a place where pilots went to die. The ruined colonies from the One-Week Battle was perfect for snipers.
"Sir...with all due respect...I haven't even been in the military for a month-"
"I understand your concerns, normally I would be opposed to such a quick rise up the ranks. But the fact is we have too few space pilots. Especially after Loum, but we need every able-bodied soldier on the frontlines. And you are an ace, we're a bit short of those right now."
Rose sighed, "Right."
"Don't worry, I have a small present for you."
"I thought...there's no way…" Rose gasped, "I'm not accustomed to piloting this-"
"We have no one else." Yi shrugged, "The original pilots are dead or missing."
Standing in front of them was an RCX-76 Guncannon. Supposedly all the units had been destroyed in the Battle of Mare Smythii, but here it was, standing and refurbished.
"Wow…" Rose looked up at it, "Alright, but I think it's going to need some modifications."
The next few days were somewhat busy, by salvaging parts from mobile suits the Federation were lucky enough to capture, the RCX-76 took a drastic turn in performance. Its battery was removed, and replaced with a full nuclear reactor from an MS-06C, its manipulators and hydraulics were replaced with those of an MS-05B Zaku I, and was even lucky enough to stumble upon a 120mm machine gun and 280mm A-P Bazooka.
They also welded on a shoulder shield and some skirt armor from an MS-06C, when all was said and done, it was a strange mish-mash of Zeon and Federation technology, and all of it was painted over with gold. Leading to its official designation to be the RCX-79 GoldCannon.
"I must say, it's an...interesting design," Yi-Lei said tensely,
"With this, I think I stand a decent shot at surviving."
Side 3, Temporary POW Detention Center - February 6th UC 0079
Degwin Sodo Zabi approached a room at the end of a blandly lit hall, fluorescent white light flickering every once or twice.
Two guards stood outside the door at the very end of the hall, when Degwin approached with his own Royal Guards, they saluted.
"Sieg Zeon." They stood aside as they hailed, Degwin nodded, and entered.
Inside was Admiral Johann Abrahim Revil, dressed in an orange jumpsuit. Degwin sat down across from him,
"You've made your feelings abundantly clear, and I agree. This war must come to an end."
"Conflict is - unfortunately - an inevitable fact between humans. Ever since the time of Cain and Abel," Degwin said, "Is there nothing we can do to defuse this situation?"
"You? Maybe, but I am a mere prisoner now. The Federation doesn't even know if I am alive."
Degwin stood and sighed. "I understand General." Degwin nodded, "I understand very well."
Side 3, Achilles - Sahalin Estate - Febuary 10th UC 0079
"General M'Quve is representing us at peace talks?" Ryan raised an eyebrow,
"Yes," Ginias nodded, "Chosen by Kycilia herself,"
"Zabi politics and a warmonger like M'Quve is a recipe for disaster, are they aware of the state of Zeon's army? It's barely been over a month and we're knee-deep in exhaustion and supply issues." Ryan put his tea down,
"But an invasion of Earth may be a chance to remedy those issues," Ginias said at last,
"But the problem is we'll end up overstretching ourselves. If we concentrated our resources on a select front or fronts, like the Odessa region, then an Earth Drop Operation is more than feasible. But the General Staff will want to take it too far, and our frontlines will stretch from Southeast Asia to North America."
Ginias had no nationalistic retort for that, "We can only hope that peace talks go well then," He said,
"Yes, Zeon needs to recover. Or we'll lose by the end of the year."
Ryan turned to the sound of jingling ornaments, where family friend Norris Packard was approaching.
"Ah, Norris." Ryan stood up, and shook his hand, "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it,"
"And miss the chance to be with the Sahalins? Course not,"
"Aina is making some sweets, she'll be joining us shortly."
Norris smiled, "Ms. Aina is quite the baker."
Right as he said that, Aina came out with a freshly baked pile of cookies. Ryan took a bite, and smiled,
"You've got to teach me how to make these."
Aina smiled, "Maybe," She handed some to Norris and Ginias, "Oh, Norris! I didn't think you'd be coming!"
"It's always a pleasure Lady Sahalin,"
"You're too formal," Aina shook her head, "It's just Aina,"
Norris didn't respond, taking a sip of his tea instead. "Hopefully peace talks will go well,"
"Well we're about to find out…" Ryan pointed to a television.
Suddenly, a worried looking maid came out.
"I'm sorry Master Ryan but they insisted- "
"Ryan!" Ortega stormed onto the veranda. "Have you heard?!"
"Heard what?" Ryan stood, immediately alert,
"Revil! He got away!"
"What?! When was this?!" Ryan barked,
"It happened yesterday evening, he's long gone by now…"
Ryan looked towards the TV screen as the negotiations were beginning,
"Here we are at Scott City, where Admiral Gopp represents the E.F while Lt. General M'Quve represents the Principality of Zeon during peace-talks."
"It seems neither side is willing to come to terms," Ryan said at last,
"Why not?" Aina cocked her head,
"Gopp and M'Quve aren't diplomats, they're soldiers and warmogers first and formost. The most we can expect from this is a ban on WMDs."
"Awfully perceptive." Gaia nodded, "But it makes sense,"
'Now would be a convenient time for Revil to make an appearance…'
Right as he said that, the large screen at the center of the hall flickered to life, revealing none other than General Revil.
Ryan rolled his eyes, 'Called it.'
"In a shocking turn of events none other than General Revil himself makes an appearance, supposedly captured at Loum, he appears to be in Federation Forces custody!"
Luna II
Revil looked up at the camera, inhaling, he began.
"Fellow Earth Federation citizens! Fellow survivors! I appeal to you all. Zeon is exhausted! It is low on troops! Low on ships, weapons, and even ammunition! Why then, I ask you, should we surrender? Dear fellow citizens, our true enemy is no longer Zeon, but our own weak-kneed civilian leaders. Hiding behind some notion of "absolute democracy", they are reduced to absolute indecision. Why should we, the survivors of this horrible war, entrust them with the power to make decisions for us!?
How can we forget the arrogance of Degwin Sodo Zabi, when he usurped power in Zeon? He claimed that the people of Zeon are a "chosen people". That we of the Earth Federation are hidebound by archaic ways of thinking, and incapable of realizing the new potential for an expanded human consciousness in outer space. That there is no need for the people of Zeon to obey an "Earth Federation" run by out-modeled human relics! Well, fellow citizens, even though I am a member of our armed forces, I have to admit that if Degwin was referring to our corrupt Earth Federation bureaucrats, he was correct."
Several of the cameramen and surrounding staff snickered as he continued,
"But, fellow citizens, we must not be deceived by Degwin Zabi simply because part of what he says is true. Zeon may be the Side farthest away from Earth, but that is no reason to believe its leader's prattle about communing with the universe!
Degwin Zabi must not be allowed to justify his vision of Zeon because of corruption in one part of our Federation. His words are dogma, the dogma of a man plotting a dynasty of Zabi dictators on Zeon. Even if we do the unthinkable, and recognize the existence of the Zeon dictatorship, that in no sense means we must also sink to our knees before it! The Earth Federation is a government, founded on the premise of sovereign individual rights. Mankind, furthermore, was able to advance into outer space as a result of the Federation government, which is itself a crystallization of all mankind's accumulated knowledge and experience.
Now, Degwin's son, Gihren Zabi, says it is the weak and inept Earth Federation itself that must be destroyed! Well, let him go ahead and try. Strike at the heart of our weakness! But what right does he - who slaughtered five and a half billion innocent people, who annahilated an entire Side of his fellow 'spacenoids' - have to strike such a righteous pose?
Gihren Zabi tells us that mankind has violated the laws of nature by reproducing more than any other species. He tells us that mankind's population growth must be managed, because mankind must learn to inhabit the universe in harmony with nature. He tells us that the death of four billion people was merely expiation for our past sins against nature.
Is Gihren mad? What does he possibly think the human race - an entire species - could gain from exterminating itself?! There is nothing to gain! No! Gihren is a despot trying to exterminate the very source of life that has supported and nurtured him. We, of the Federation, shall never comprehend the monstrosity of his actions.
And now Gihren threatens to crash Luna II onto Earth unless we surrender to him. What basis does he have for his demand?! Is he in possession of some sort of absolute truth? No! He possesses nothing more than his own demented dogma. Is the entire Federation completely enfeebled, corrupt, and degenerate? Again, the answer is no. Many good, capable citizens have fought bravely against the threat from Zeon, and we are still strong and alive! So, then, does Zeon actually possess an overwhelming military superiority over the Federation? Again, the answer is NO!
Fellow citizens! Listen to what I say! Gihren's threats are a mere bluff. Unworthy as I am of my good fortune, I was captured rather than killed by Zeon forces, and thus was afforded the opportunity to see the Zeon nation first-hand. I therefore can assure you that the people of Zeon are exhausted, and there is no way they can possibly strengthen their forces enough to carry out their threats. So I say to you, Gihren Zabi, if you think you can send Luna II crashing to Earth, well then, go ahead and try!
Zeon's strength was expended in the Battle of Loum. There is no way they can create soldiers overnight, and Gihren Zabi knows it. I therefore appeal to all the citizens of the Earth Federation, to each and every one of you. Zeon is exhausted! Now is not the time for us to kneel before Zeon. It is time for us to rise! Now, more than ever, is our chance to defeat Zeon!"
Achilies Colony
"Warmogering bastards!" Mash roared, "This is how they respond to our olive branch!? We approached them, and they spit in our faces!"
Ginias clutched his glass, his face somewhat enraged as well.
Gaia looked towards the glass ceiling, "I think...things are about to get alot busier for us."
Following Revil's speech, the negotiations in Scott City turned from peace talks to the signing of a wartime treaty. The treaty signed became known as the Antarctic Treaty, and stated the following:
- The use of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons is prohibited.
- Dropping space colonies or large asteroids onto Earth is prohibited.
- All prisoners of war must be treated humanely (although forced labor may be legal).
- All neutral territories must be respected and combat operations in these regions are prohibited. This includes the Jupiter energy fleets, as well as all lunar cities except Granada, which was under Zeon occupation. The neutrality at Side 6 was recognized and respected.
Historian's opinions of Revil's actions would be extremely mixed in later years. In his own famous speech, Solman Ral Hamon, son of Adrian Ral Hamon, would denounce Revil as a warmoger and jingoist responsible for an another era of conflict, and this opinion would be shared by many pro-spacenoid historians. While many pro-Federation historians would agree with Revil, and state that if the Federation signed a peace at that time, it would've been a surrender.
What is agreed on is that what would occur next would lead to a bloody further 26 years of conflict, and would begin the greatest legend of the Solar Century.
Zum City, Feburary 13th
Degwin dropped his cane, his face furious. "Damn you Revil! You warmogering devil! You're a blight! You traitor!"
"My lord, the commanders of the Earth Attack Force await your blessing." A Lieutenant came in and bowed.
"I'll be right there!" Degwin stormed out
He stormed out, approaching the line of officers spread out before him. In the end was his own son, Garma.
Garma saluted, "Garma Zabi, preparing to take command of the "
Degwin grabbed both of his shoulders, "Garma! Make sure you eliminate every single last one of those war-loving earthnoids!"
Garma looked somewhat panicked at first, then he began to beam, "Yes! I will!"
February 16th, UC 0079 - The First Earth Drop Operation begins
A/N: Yes, I just did a call-forward to a future conflict. Which is why I am once again saying
visit the wiki (please I worked so hard).
But in all seriousness. I need help, the mechanics and events are becoming a bit much to keep track of.
But yes, back to talking to my reference.
But first -SPOILER WARNING-
I'm really looking forward to developing Adrian's son, Solman. (Yes, Ryan/Adrian won't be the MC throughout the entire saga). I mostly see him as a Setsuna F. Seiei esque character. Except of course, we get to see all the horrible things that happen to him (which will undoubtedly be worse than what happened to Setsuna c̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶n̶u̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶e̶n̶t̶i̶r̶e̶ ̶f̶e̶d̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶f̶l̶e̶e̶t̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶g̶h̶.)
I've also started on a timeline for the Zeonic Era (along with summaries for each conflict), so if you want to get an idea of what's happening, and what will happen.
Fandom link: official-solar-century .fandom. com