p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Chapter 1/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Ponch Colony Technical School/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You know, for him to be the top student he sure is awkward." said a teen boy to another as they passed Tate's, at his locker. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Right, just last week he began yelling out of nowhere in the middle of the night. Campus patrol had to come in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"This was quite common for Tate Ash, top student at Ponch Colony Tech. P.C. Tech was a boarding school for students that lived in nearby colonies. Most parents sent their children to technical schools, to work in factories or to join the E.S.U military. Tate Ash, a tall and thin 15-year-old boy with spiky black hair and light brownish skin, had been sent to the school by his parents that live in Mars Colony./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""I bet everyone in the dorm heard me." he thought to himself. "I don't even know what I was dreaming about. Where was I? Who was this man? Is this-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"His thoughts were interrupted the feeling of a hand on his shoulder and a voice,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You know, if you just stand here at your locker all day, I'll take your spot as top student, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The voice was that off Roji Kuun, Tate's roommate and best friend. Roji, stockier that Tate but the same height with short red hair and pale skin, stood there laughing at his friend who was always trapped in his thoughts. Tate looked at his friend smiled as he replied,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Roji, I've seen your grades. I'm pretty sure my spot is safe from you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The two laughed as they walked down the hall together. They had been friends since Roji became Tate's roommate two years ago. He had been sent from the Alpha Colony by his parents and was studying aircraft mechanics. From the time that they first met, Tate and Roji had a strong connection and were virtually inseparable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" It was now the lunch period for the school and the students flooded the mess hall. After grabbing burgers from the service counter, Tate and Roji found an empty table in the corner of the mess hall. Roji showed Tate a message that he had received from his parents on Alpha Colony. His parents wanted him to visit them this during the break in four days. The two had originally made plans to travel to Mars colony and attend the new unveiling of the new space carrier GZ drive from the Primius Foundation, an organization that focuses on research and advancements in space technology. It had been awhile since Roji had been back home and since Mars colony was on the way to Alpha, he convinced Tate to come along with him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"As the boys ate their lunch and discussed the plans for their trip, an emergency news broadcast flashed on the several television screens in the mess hall. The banner on the screen read "Resistance and ESU forces have engaged in combat at the Ido Space Colony." The news reporter spoke about the events leading up to the conflict. "Several families have been arrested or have gone missing recently without any reason as to why. This could have prompted the current attack. Just 3 years after the destruction of Cano colony you can't but help to acknowledge the similarities." The newsman reported that the Resistance, led by a man known only as The Voice, protested the spike in taxes and increased work mandates in space colonies. All of which occurred after Malca Carte succeeded Noah Freet. The resistance had hijacked several ESU transport ships that contained arms and mobile suits. As the reporter spoke about the casualties in Ido Colony, a commotion stirred in the mess hall. Many of the students, had come from Ido colony and had desperately began to try and contact their families. Some were able to speak with loved ones and ensure their safety, while others got busy signals or disheartening news. The two boys could only look at each other in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Suddenly, in the middle of the news broadcast, the screen went black and a masked man began to fade onto the screen. The masked man was the Voice. A white masquerade-like mask covered his forehead, eyes, and nose. Dark brown hair sprouted from the top the mask to the back of his head and his tan, sharp cheeks and strong jaw were uncovered. He began to speak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""This is a message to the Malca Carte and the E.S.U military. Like the people on Ido colony, many of us have grown tired of the E.S.U's treatment of the colonies and the Primes. He claims his mission is to preserve humanity, but the Primes are the evolution of humanity. They will present human race with unimaginable possibilities. The people of space will not bend to the will of the E.S.U any longer. I, The Voice of the people, claim the colonies independent from the E.S.U. We, the NeoColonist, proclaim war against the Malca Carte and the E.S.U."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The Voice lifts his hand and show a detonator./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You are chosen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The pushes the button on the detonator and the screen returns to the news broadcast. The live footage shows all the E.S.U. military ships and mobile suits on around Ido bursting in flames. The screens all suddenly went blank. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"E.S.U. HQ, Earth/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Malca Carte, the current President of the ESU, sat at his desk in his office. Carte had long black hair that was tied back and away from his serious face. The office was dark. Two of the adjacent walls were mounted with bookshelves filled with literature of the Earth and space. The third wall was covered with a map of the space colonies. Three colonies had red circles around them. Those colonies were Ido, Alpha, and Mars colony. On the last wall, which served as a backdrop for Carte's desk, was a painting of the late founder of the ESU, Noah Freet. Carte's desk was covered in file folders. He held on in his hand that labeled "Operation Prime". There was a knock at the door. Carte placed the folder in a drawer in the desk and pressed on button on the underside of the desk that opened the door. An army official marched in and stood at attention to the President./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""At ease, General. Do you have anything new to report?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yes sir. It has been confirmed that Resistance forces are using stolen ESU arms on Ido. There have been severe casualties at the colony and our forces are retreating.", replied the General./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The President thinking to himself, " Due to the explosives inside of our own suits and ships, it would appear that we have a traitor among us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Where we able to locate The Voice?!" barked Carte to the General. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""No sir, we were unable to triangulate the signal used to interrupt the broadcast." The general hung his head in shame. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"To himself, "He has exposed the existence of Primes to the public. We must act soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""And what of the Primius Weapons?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""They have been confirmed to be stored in the Primius HQ on Mars colony sir."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Thinking to himself again, "I wouldn't have thought it would have happened this soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"To the General, "Very well, instruct Commander De Voss's fShotot to head towards the Mars colony and contact Primius to deliver the weapons once he arrives."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The General saluted the President as he walked out of the door and it closed behind him. Carte stood up from his desk and turned to the painting of Noah Freet. Staring at the painting, he whispered, "Pure humanity will persevere, and the scum Primes will be eliminated from the existence."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Transport Dock, Ponch Colony/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"There are several ships docked in the station on Ponch Colony. The ship with longest line has a marquee that read," Mars Colony". Tate and Roji board the plane and find their seats. After all the passengers are on board, the ship takes off out of the colony. Roji is reading a mechanics magazine while Tate stares out of the windows./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji, still looking down at the magazine, ask, "Are you excited to see your family?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen them. I really miss them. I tried calling before we left but no one was home", replied Tate, still lost in the stars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You should make it a surprise. You have a brother that's going to be attending P.C. Tech next year, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate nods his head, still looking out of the window. The words from the masked man playing over and over in his head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Primes are the evolution are humanity. You are chosen. You are chosen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji peeks up at Tate then rolls his eyes. "Hopefully he's not as awkward as you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate ignores Roji's comment and stays turned to the window./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""What do you think that masked man meant about 'Primes' and being chosen?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You mean the guy on the Tv? I don't know. How can you take a guy wearing a mask like that serious?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate didn't respond. Amid the stars out the window, Tate makes out several ships. As he looks harder, he makes out 7 ships traveling parallel to the transport ship./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Roji, are those military ships?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji pushes his ahead beside Tate's and focuses on the ships out in space./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yep. That's Himalaya-class carrier with 1...2...3 Magellan-class battleships and…3 Argama cruisers"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Are you sure?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You don't think I read these magazines for nothing do you? Yeah, those are definitely military ships."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Why would there be military ships headed to Mars?", he thought to himself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"By this time, other passengers had noticed the ships traveling to Mars and marveled in their size and design. Seeing the concerned look on his friend's face, Roji tried to ease his worries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Don't worry Tate, Ido is a long way from here. They're probably just here to check out the GZ drive too. Besides, Primius does supply the military with all of their arms and technology."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"After considering Roji's point, Tate turned away from the window and sat back into seat and closed his eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You're right. Wake me when we get to Mars colony."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Ponch Colony Technical School/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You know, for him to be the top student he sure is awkward." said a teen boy to another as they passed Tate's, at his locker. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Right, just last week he began yelling out of nowhere in the middle of the night. Campus patrol had to come in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"This was quite common for Tate Ash, top student at Ponch Colony Tech. P.C. Tech was a boarding school for students that lived in nearby colonies. Most parents sent their children to technical schools, to work in factories or to join the E.S.U military. Tate Ash, a tall and thin 15-year-old boy with spiky black hair and light brownish skin, had been sent to the school by his parents that live in Mars Colony./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""I bet everyone in the dorm heard me." he thought to himself. "I don't even know what I was dreaming about. Where was I? Who was this man? Is this-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"His thoughts were interrupted the feeling of a hand on his shoulder and a voice,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You know, if you just stand here at your locker all day, I'll take your spot as top student, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The voice was that off Roji Kuun, Tate's roommate and best friend. Roji, stockier that Tate but the same height with short red hair and pale skin, stood there laughing at his friend who was always trapped in his thoughts. Tate looked at his friend smiled as he replied,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Roji, I've seen your grades. I'm pretty sure my spot is safe from you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The two laughed as they walked down the hall together. They had been friends since Roji became Tate's roommate two years ago. He had been sent from the Alpha Colony by his parents and was studying aircraft mechanics. From the time that they first met, Tate and Roji had a strong connection and were virtually inseparable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" It was now the lunch period for the school and the students flooded the mess hall. After grabbing burgers from the service counter, Tate and Roji found an empty table in the corner of the mess hall. Roji showed Tate a message that he had received from his parents on Alpha Colony. His parents wanted him to visit them this during the break in four days. The two had originally made plans to travel to Mars colony and attend the new unveiling of the new space carrier GZ drive from the Primius Foundation, an organization that focuses on research and advancements in space technology. It had been awhile since Roji had been back home and since Mars colony was on the way to Alpha, he convinced Tate to come along with him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"As the boys ate their lunch and discussed the plans for their trip, an emergency news broadcast flashed on the several television screens in the mess hall. The banner on the screen read "Resistance and ESU forces have engaged in combat at the Ido Space Colony." The news reporter spoke about the events leading up to the conflict. "Several families have been arrested or have gone missing recently without any reason as to why. This could have prompted the current attack. Just 3 years after the destruction of Cano colony you can't but help to acknowledge the similarities." The newsman reported that the Resistance, led by a man known only as The Voice, protested the spike in taxes and increased work mandates in space colonies. All of which occurred after Malca Carte succeeded Noah Freet. The resistance had hijacked several ESU transport ships that contained arms and mobile suits. As the reporter spoke about the casualties in Ido Colony, a commotion stirred in the mess hall. Many of the students, had come from Ido colony and had desperately began to try and contact their families. Some were able to speak with loved ones and ensure their safety, while others got busy signals or disheartening news. The two boys could only look at each other in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Suddenly, in the middle of the news broadcast, the screen went black and a masked man began to fade onto the screen. The masked man was the Voice. A white masquerade-like mask covered his forehead, eyes, and nose. Dark brown hair sprouted from the top the mask to the back of his head and his tan, sharp cheeks and strong jaw were uncovered. He began to speak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""This is a message to the Malca Carte and the E.S.U military. Like the people on Ido colony, many of us have grown tired of the E.S.U's treatment of the colonies and the Primes. He claims his mission is to preserve humanity, but the Primes are the evolution of humanity. They will present human race with unimaginable possibilities. The people of space will not bend to the will of the E.S.U any longer. I, The Voice of the people, claim the colonies independent from the E.S.U. We, the NeoColonist, proclaim war against the Malca Carte and the E.S.U."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The Voice lifts his hand and show a detonator./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You are chosen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The pushes the button on the detonator and the screen returns to the news broadcast. The live footage shows all the E.S.U. military ships and mobile suits on around Ido bursting in flames. The screens all suddenly went blank. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"E.S.U. HQ, Earth/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Malca Carte, the current President of the ESU, sat at his desk in his office. Carte had long black hair that was tied back and away from his serious face. The office was dark. Two of the adjacent walls were mounted with bookshelves filled with literature of the Earth and space. The third wall was covered with a map of the space colonies. Three colonies had red circles around them. Those colonies were Ido, Alpha, and Mars colony. On the last wall, which served as a backdrop for Carte's desk, was a painting of the late founder of the ESU, Noah Freet. Carte's desk was covered in file folders. He held on in his hand that labeled "Operation Prime". There was a knock at the door. Carte placed the folder in a drawer in the desk and pressed on button on the underside of the desk that opened the door. An army official marched in and stood at attention to the President./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""At ease, General. Do you have anything new to report?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yes sir. It has been confirmed that Resistance forces are using stolen ESU arms on Ido. There have been severe casualties at the colony and our forces are retreating.", replied the General./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The President thinking to himself, " Due to the explosives inside of our own suits and ships, it would appear that we have a traitor among us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Where we able to locate The Voice?!" barked Carte to the General. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""No sir, we were unable to triangulate the signal used to interrupt the broadcast." The general hung his head in shame. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"To himself, "He has exposed the existence of Primes to the public. We must act soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""And what of the Primius Weapons?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""They have been confirmed to be stored in the Primius HQ on Mars colony sir."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Thinking to himself again, "I wouldn't have thought it would have happened this soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"To the General, "Very well, instruct Commander De Voss's fShotot to head towards the Mars colony and contact Primius to deliver the weapons once he arrives."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"The General saluted the President as he walked out of the door and it closed behind him. Carte stood up from his desk and turned to the painting of Noah Freet. Staring at the painting, he whispered, "Pure humanity will persevere, and the scum Primes will be eliminated from the existence."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Transport Dock, Ponch Colony/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"There are several ships docked in the station on Ponch Colony. The ship with longest line has a marquee that read," Mars Colony". Tate and Roji board the plane and find their seats. After all the passengers are on board, the ship takes off out of the colony. Roji is reading a mechanics magazine while Tate stares out of the windows./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji, still looking down at the magazine, ask, "Are you excited to see your family?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen them. I really miss them. I tried calling before we left but no one was home", replied Tate, still lost in the stars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You should make it a surprise. You have a brother that's going to be attending P.C. Tech next year, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate nods his head, still looking out of the window. The words from the masked man playing over and over in his head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Primes are the evolution are humanity. You are chosen. You are chosen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji peeks up at Tate then rolls his eyes. "Hopefully he's not as awkward as you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate ignores Roji's comment and stays turned to the window./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""What do you think that masked man meant about 'Primes' and being chosen?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You mean the guy on the Tv? I don't know. How can you take a guy wearing a mask like that serious?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Tate didn't respond. Amid the stars out the window, Tate makes out several ships. As he looks harder, he makes out 7 ships traveling parallel to the transport ship./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Roji, are those military ships?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"Roji pushes his ahead beside Tate's and focuses on the ships out in space./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Yep. That's Himalaya-class carrier with 1...2...3 Magellan-class battleships and…3 Argama cruisers"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Are you sure?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You don't think I read these magazines for nothing do you? Yeah, those are definitely military ships."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Why would there be military ships headed to Mars?", he thought to himself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"By this time, other passengers had noticed the ships traveling to Mars and marveled in their size and design. Seeing the concerned look on his friend's face, Roji tried to ease his worries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""Don't worry Tate, Ido is a long way from here. They're probably just here to check out the GZ drive too. Besides, Primius does supply the military with all of their arms and technology."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"After considering Roji's point, Tate turned away from the window and sat back into seat and closed his eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;""You're right. Wake me when we get to Mars colony."/span/p