Where the Soldiers' Loyalty Lay

The Justicar Gundam streaked like a silver-and-red meteor through the searing barrier of the atmosphere. Friction with the air cast a pale blue glow across its energy shield, which kept the heat and buffeting air currents firmly at bay. Inside the cockpit, Mei Hock's gaze was as keen as an eagle's. The panoramic display clearly outlined the terrain below, while steady power from the nuclear fusion reactor flowed through the transmission lines, filling every joint with surging strength.

"Atmospheric entry complete. All unit parameters normal. Power output stable. Weapons systems ready." At the cold electronic notification, Akira nodded slightly and tapped the control panel. The Justicar Gundam's thruster nozzles adjusted their angles, sending it racing toward the coordinates of ZAFT's ground headquarters in North Africa.

Just then, the auxiliary reconnaissance system picked up a faint energy signal. The outline of a small shuttle appeared on the screen-it bore ZAFT civilian markings, but its flight path and energy signature immediately told Akira who was aboard.

"Kira Yamato..." A meaningful smile curved Akira's lips. His ACCORD Ability quietly activated, sensing the stable life signs inside the shuttle and the distinctive mental fluctuations of the strongest Coordinator. Without hesitation, he adjusted the Justicar Gundam's course slightly, steering clear of the shuttle's flight path.

Now isn't the time to interfere with your growth, Akira thought. The strongest Coordinator's potential is still far from fully unleashed. If I can help you stay true to yourself and see the truth of this war, you'll become my sharpest weapon in achieving genuine peace. He knew that Kira's kindness and talent were the key to breaking the cycle of hatred between Naturals and Coordinators. Intervening now would only disrupt history's momentum and strip this crucial piece of its rightful value.

The Justicar Gundam moved at incredible speed, flitting through the clouds like a phantom. In less than half an hour, ZAFT's ground headquarters in North Africa came into view-a temporary fortress built into the mountains. Radar antennas rotated ceaselessly, and the Mobile Suit hangar doors stood open. Several Ginns and GuAIZ units were undergoing prebattle preparations, while the air carried a mixture of machine oil and gunsmoke.

"This is Mei Hock, piloting the ZGMF-X17A Justicar Gundam. Requesting permission to land." Akira contacted headquarters over an encrypted channel, his voice calm and commanding.

A brief silence fell over headquarters. Then an incredulous cry came through the communicator. "Lieutenant Colonel Hawke? You... you really came back! The Justicar Gundam? Is that the Mobile Suit we built in secret?"

"Identity confirmed. Permission to land granted. Hangar One has been cleared for you!" The commander could barely contain his excitement. To ZAFT's soldiers, Mei Hock's title of "Silver Wing Angel" had long since become legendary. His return in a cutting-edge machine was an undeniable boost to morale ahead of the coming Battle of Alaska.

The Justicar Gundam slowly descended into the hangar. Its hatch opened, and Akira stepped out of the cockpit in a white commander's uniform. The staff officers and soldiers waiting nearby immediately gathered around him, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation. A middle-aged staff officer hurried forward and saluted. "Lieutenant Colonel Hawke, welcome back! Headquarters has received your promotion orders and unit assignment notice. You now hold temporary command of the Alaska theater and may deploy all forces, including the special operations units!"

Akira nodded slightly and accepted the encrypted command terminal. "Take me to the operations room. I need an immediate briefing on our current deployments."

Inside the operations room, a massive holographic map covered the wall, densely marked with red and blue points representing ZAFT and Earth Alliance Forces troop deployments. The staff began a detailed briefing. "According to the latest intelligence from April, CE 71, the Earth Alliance Forces have deployed three main fleets, six air squadrons, and large numbers of antiaircraft guns and ground armored units at Alaska Base. The Archangel supports the core defensive perimeter. Three outer defensive lines are positioned along the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Strait, and the coast of the Alaska Peninsula."

"Our deployments are as follows: the First Mobile Suit Battalion is stationed in North Africa to tie down the Mediterranean Sea fleet. The Second and Third Mobile Suit Battalions, along with some warships, are assembling in the central Pacific to support the main fleet's all-out assault on Alaska. Our airborne forces are standing by in orbit and are scheduled to launch a drop assault in the early hours of April 17 to seize the outer airfields."

Akira slid his fingers across the holographic map, his ACCORD Ability rapidly analyzing the balance of forces and tactical weaknesses on both sides. "The Earth Alliance Forces' weakness is its overextended front, the lack of effective coordination between defensive lines, and Alaska Base's dependence on Pacific supply routes. Our core strategy will be to tie them down first and wear them away second."

He raised a hand and marked three critical points on the map. "Order the First Mobile Suit Battalion to divide into two forces. One will feint an attack on the Alliance fleet's Mediterranean Sea port; the other will raid the Gibraltar supply depot, forcing the Mediterranean Sea fleet to fall back and preventing it from reinforcing Alaska. The Second Mobile Suit Battalion will advance along the western side of the Aleutian Islands, focusing on Earth Forces radar stations and antiaircraft positions to clear a path for the units behind them. The Third Mobile Suit Battalion will rendezvous with the warships and circle around the eastern side of the Bering Strait to sever Alaska Base's overland supply route to the North American mainland."

"Adjust the airborne deployment. Move the drop forward to before dawn on April 17, and change the objective from the airfields to the fuel depots in the northern Alaska Peninsula. Those depots are the lifeblood of the Earth Forces' armored units. Without fuel, their ground defenses will collapse without a fight."

"Also, notify every combat unit that killing innocents is strictly forbidden. Earth Forces prisoners who lay down their weapons are to be treated well and placed under dedicated guards," Akira added, his gaze resolute. "We fight for PLANT's survival, not revenge. Every compatriot we save and every prisoner we treat with kindness will become a foundation stone for future peace."

The staff officers exchanged glances, then straightened with respect. Revenge over the Junius Seven incident had spread throughout ZAFT, and many soldiers lost their reason on the battlefield. Yet Akira's orders displayed both a commander's foresight and the warmth of humanitarian concern.

"Yes, sir!" the staff officers answered in unison, immediately beginning to relay his orders.

Akira did not linger. He turned toward the hangar. "I'll sortie personally and head to the front. While stabilizing our lines, I'll see just how much power my Justicar Gundam can unleash."

Back aboard the Justicar Gundam, Akira activated the machine and launched out of the hangar, racing toward the Aleutian Islands. At the Aleutian front, a ZAFT Ginn squad was under attack by an Earth Alliance Forces Mobile Suit squadron. Three Strike Gundams equipped with Sword, Launcher, and Aile packs, supported by five Moebius fighters, had driven four Ginns to the edge of a cliff. All four machines had sustained varying degrees of damage, and despair filled their pilots' communications.

"Captain, we can't hold out! Requesting backup!" One Ginn pilot sounded close to tears. His machine's leg had been hit by the Launcher Strike's beam cannon, leaving it unable to move.

Just then, a silver-and-red figure tore through the sky like lightning. The Justicar Gundam's main back thrusters flared brilliantly as it plunged into the battlefield. Under Akira's control, its shoulder beam cannon instantly locked onto a Moebius fighter and fired a searing beam without hesitation.

Boom! The Moebius fighter was struck instantly and erupted into a fireball. The sudden attack threw the Earth Forces into chaos. The Sword Strike's pilot cried out, "What is that?! It's so fast!"

Akira gave them no time to react. He sent the Justicar Gundam into high-speed maneuvers, and the seven small DRAGOON-7 Funnels on its back instantly detached from their storage bays. Guided by the Psycommu Support System, they streaked like seven silver meteors toward the remaining Moebius fighters and Strike Gundams.

"That's... the DRAGOON System?!" The Aile Strike pilot's pupils contracted sharply. He had never seen such agile DRAGOON units. The seven Funnels seemed to possess minds of their own, sealing off every escape route with precise, concentrated beam fire.

Akira's hands moved rapidly over the controls as he activated the multilock system. Six targets were instantly marked on his display. "Multiple targets locked. Fire!"

The MA-M21KF high-energy beam rifle spat out three beams, creating a crossfire with the DRAGOON units. Clang, clang, clang! The Launcher Strike's shield was pierced instantly, and its shoulder beam cannon was destroyed. The Aile Strike tried to dodge, only for two Funnel beams to strike its thrusters and send its speed plummeting. The remaining Moebius fighters fared even worse and were all shot down in moments.

In just one minute, the Earth Forces units surrounding the Ginn squad had been routed. The four ZAFT Ginn pilots stared at the scene in disbelief. An incredulous voice came over the communicator. "Is... is that Lieutenant Colonel Hawke's new machine? It's incredible!"

"It's the Silver Wing Angel! He came to save us!"

Akira held the Justicar Gundam in a hover and addressed the Ginn squad. "Withdraw to the rear repair station immediately. Leave this to me." Then he turned toward the fleeing Sword Strike, pushed his thrusters to full power, and caught up in an instant.

Terror filled the Sword Strike pilot's heart. He frantically maneuvered to evade, swinging his Anti-Ship Sword wildly. Akira's gaze remained cold. He shifted the Justicar Gundam sideways to avoid the blade, deployed the MR-Q17X Beam Saber in its right hand, and slashed precisely into the Strike's shoulder armor.

Crack! The Strike Gundam's shoulder armor split open. The Beam Saber followed through, severing its right arm and sending the Anti-Ship Sword tumbling down. "Don't kill me! I surrender!" the pilot shouted hastily.

Akira did not attack again. Instead, he used the Justicar Gundam's mechanical arm to seize the Strike and drag it to safety. "Stay here. Someone will come to take you into custody."

The ZAFT soldiers watching from a distance saw everything. Cheers erupted over the communications channel. "The lieutenant colonel spared him! He's so merciful!" "Now that's a commander we can respect!"

Akira did not linger, piloting the Justicar Gundam toward the next battlefield. Over the following two days, he moved like a firefighter between the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Strait, and several other fronts. Every appearance turned the tide of battle.

Along the Bering Strait coast, Earth Forces armored units were hammering ZAFT's temporary defenses. Fire from several main battle tanks kept the ZAFT soldiers pinned down. Akira descended from the sky in the Justicar Gundam, instantly activating its chest-mounted MMI-M100 twin beam cannons. Two searing beams swept across the field, destroying more than half the tanks in a single pass. The remaining tanks tried to flee, but the Justicar's DRAGOON System locked onto and destroyed them one by one.

"My God! That machine is incredible!" A ZAFT soldier lay in a trench, his eyes filled with admiration. "One shot wiped out half an armored company!"

"He's not just strong-he's righteous, too!" another soldier added. He had personally seen Akira stop a blood-crazed ZAFT pilot and save a surrendering Earth Forces soldier. "The major said we're soldiers, not butchers!"

In the mountains of the northern Alaska Peninsula, a ZAFT GuAIZ squad was trapped in a valley by Earth Forces sniper Mobile Suits. After arriving in the Justicar Gundam, Akira did not attack directly. Instead, he arranged the DRAGOON System into a defensive screen to block the sniper fire, then used precise beam rifle shots to destroy the enemy machines' observation equipment and force them to retreat.

"Thank you for saving our lives, Lieutenant Colonel!" the GuAIZ squad leader said excitedly. "Your tactics were brilliant! You broke the encirclement without causing unnecessary casualties!"

Akira's reply was brief and firm. "Hold the line and wait for the order to launch the main assault. Remember, every life deserves respect, whether Coordinator or Natural."

During this time, Akira found a moment to contact Major Li Bing of the East Asian Republic over an encrypted channel. Her steady voice came through the communicator. "Captain Hawke, following your advice, our nation has secretly expanded its space forces by the equivalent of a carrier battle group, equipped with the Black Tortoise, a mass-production Mobile Suit improved from the Aegis Gundam prototype. We've now equipped an armored corps, and monthly production has reached thirty units.

"For our ace pilots, we developed the elite Xingtian unit, drawing on the Strike Gundam's equipment-changing capability. It can switch between close-combat, long-range, and DRAGOON modes, and has already been assigned to our top pilots," Li Bing added. "However, our nation still can't break away from the Atlantic Federation. We lack a legitimate justification. Although we have quite a few Coordinator pilots, they still face some pressure from public opinion."

Black Tortoise (EMF-03)

Pilot compatibility: designed specifically for Naturals, with a simplified control interface and an attitude-control assistance system to reduce the difficulty of piloting.

Transformation design: based on the Aegis Gundam's Mobile Suit/mobile armor transformation system, simplified for mass production. Mobile Suit mode is used for ground and space combat; mobile armor mode enables high-speed assaults and improves mobility.

Power source: CE 71 mass-production-grade, high-performance deuterium-core auxiliary battery. Endurance exceeds the Strike Dagger's by 40%.

Armor: reinforced composite armor, based on and optimized from M1 Astray armor technology, with excellent resistance to beams and physical projectiles. Selected sections feature simplified phase shift armor to reduce energy consumption and suit mass production. Mass producibility: simple structure and core components suitable for batch production, with manufacturing costs below the M1 Astray's, making it suitable for large-scale deployment by the East Asian Republic.

Firepower: high-energy beam rifle with greater output than the M1 Astray's, paired Beam Sabers, and shoulder-mounted twin missile launchers. Additional autocannons can be fitted for mobile armor mode. Beam attack power is increased, with shorter cooldown times.

Defense: superior to the Strike Dagger, with 30% thicker armor, and slightly stronger than the M1 Astray thanks to its simplified phase shift armor.

Mobility: equal to the M1 Astray in Mobile Suit mode; faster than both machines in mobile armor mode.

Endurance: far greater than the Strike Dagger's and equal to the M1 Astray's, suitable for prolonged patrol missions.

Xingtian (EMF-03S)

Pilot compatibility: designed specifically for the East Asian Republic's ace pilots, with optimized control assistance while retaining manual control authority, balancing compatibility and responsiveness.

Integrated G Series features: combines the core strengths of five machines-the Strike's interchangeable equipment, the Aegis Gundam's transformation adaptability, the Duel Gundam's enhanced defenses, the Buster Gundam's firepower configuration, and the Blitz's stealth assistance.

Core system: Adaptive Remote Equipment Exchange System, drawing on the Skygrasper's experience delivering equipment remotely, paired with dedicated remote delivery pods. It can receive and automatically attach three types of equipment packs directly on the battlefield.

Power and armor: upgraded deuterium-core auxiliary battery, providing 30% greater endurance than the Strike. Reinforced phase shift armor covers the entire body, offering defenses far beyond the Black Tortoise's.

Mass producibility: complex manufacturing processes for core components limit production to small numbers, no more than twenty units, reserved exclusively for ace pilots.

Firepower: far exceeds both machines, with interchangeable packs for close combat, artillery combat, and assault. Artillery mode approaches the Buster Gundam's firepower; close-combat mode rivals the Sword Strike.

Defense: greatly surpasses both machines. Reinforced phase shift armor can withstand main beam cannon attacks, drawing on the Duel Gundam's defensive structure.

Mobility: exceeds the M1 Astray in Mobile Suit mode. Equipping the assault pack doubles its speed, making it suitable for high-speed strikes.

Adaptability: remote equipment changes require no return to the mothership, giving it battlefield adaptability far beyond the Strike and M1 Astray.

Xingtian unit supplementary details

1. Adaptive Remote Equipment Exchange System: independently developed by the East Asian Republic from the Skygrasper's technology for remotely delivering Strike equipment. It uses three dedicated remote delivery pods, which can be carried and deployed by frigates. Once a pod reaches the battlefield, the unit quickly connects to the equipment pack through adaptive shoulder interfaces. The entire process takes no more than thirty seconds and requires no manual pilot input. The system automatically calibrates the pack and matches its energy requirements, overcoming the Strike Gundam's need to return to its mothership to change equipment and enabling immediate battlefield role changes.

2. Integration details for the five G Series machines: ① The Strike Gundam's core interchangeable-equipment design provides the basis for three dedicated packs: close-combat, artillery, and assault. ② The Aegis Gundam's transformation-adaptation technology allows slight changes to the unit's configuration after an equipment change, meeting each pack's combat requirements. ③ The Duel Gundam's defensive structure provides the basis for reinforced torso armor and improved close-range protection. ④ The Buster Gundam's firepower configuration informs the artillery pack's twin-barreled beam cannon, increasing fire density. ⑤ The Blitz Gundam's stealth-assistance technology is incorporated into the assault pack's Simplified Mirage Colloid Generator, enabling brief periods of optical invisibility.

3. Specific pack configurations: ① Close-combat pack: two enhanced Beam Sabers and shoulder-mounted combat claws, optimized for close combat and improved mobility. ② Artillery pack: twin-barreled beam cannon and back-mounted missile pods, drawing on the Buster Gundam's weapons layout for excellent long-range suppression. ③ Assault pack: lightweight additional armor, simplified stealth device, and high-speed thrusters, suited to raids behind enemy lines and target decapitation missions.

A sharp gleam flashed in Akira's eyes. "You'll have your justification soon. Hidden beneath Alaska Base is the Earth Alliance's Cyclops System, a weapon of mass destruction. Once activated, it will indiscriminately destroy every life inside and around the base, including civilians and soldiers who have surrendered."

"To achieve victory, the Atlantic Federation is willing to sacrifice every frontline soldier and every civilian in the surrounding area. Such conduct has crossed the most basic humanitarian line." Akira's voice was icy. "When the time comes, I'll expose the truth. You can use it to declare neutrality and condemn the Atlantic Federation's atrocities, freeing yourselves from its control while gaining international support. Issue orders to your forces to preserve their strength during the Battle of Alaska, but make the performance convincing. Don't hesitate when it's time to retreat. I'll leave a gap open for you."

Li Bing's voice held both shock and excitement. "This is an excellent opportunity! We'll prepare and be ready to coordinate with your operation at any time."

Ending the call, Akira returned to battle. By now, his reputation within ZAFT had reached its peak. Soldiers privately called him the "Arbiter," not merely because of the machine he piloted, but because of his fairness and strength on the battlefield. Many soldiers he had saved spontaneously formed the Silver Wing Guard, willing to follow him through fire and water. Even some captured Earth Forces officers and soldiers felt grateful to him. After hearing him speak about peace several times, many said they would join his forces if given the chance.

Time flew, and April 16 soon arrived. Under Akira's precise command and personal support, ZAFT successfully whittled away Alaska's outer positions. Every radar station and antiaircraft position in the Aleutian Islands had been destroyed, the overland supply route through the Bering Strait had been severed, and the airborne forces had successfully seized the fuel depots in the northern Alaska Peninsula. The Earth Alliance Forces' outer defenses collapsed completely, forcing the remnants to retreat into Alaska Base's central area.

In the operations room, the red points representing ZAFT on the holographic map had formed an encirclement around Alaska Base. A staff officer reported, "Major, all outer positions have been cleared. The remaining Earth Forces, approximately two Mobile Suit squadrons and three armored battalions, are trapped inside the base. We expect tomorrow's main assault to take it in one stroke."

Akira studied Alaska Base on the map, his gaze deep. He knew that this apparent victory was actually a trap set by the Earth Alliance. The Cyclops System beneath the base was already primed, waiting only for ZAFT's main forces to enter before it activated.

"Notify all units: tomorrow's main assault will become a feint. The main forces will remain on standby outside the base and must not enter recklessly," Akira ordered. "The airborne forces are to prepare to infiltrate the base with me."

The staff officer froze. "Lieutenant Colonel, why change the plan? This is our best chance to take the base!"

"Because it's a trap," Akira said gravely. "I have reliable information that a weapon of mass destruction is hidden beneath the base. If it activates, our main forces will suffer devastating losses. Tomorrow, I'll personally go underground and show everyone the Atlantic Federation's true face."

His voice carried unquestionable authority. Though puzzled, the staff officers immediately carried out his orders. By now, ZAFT's soldiers had complete faith in Akira. Whatever command he gave, they would obey without hesitation.

That night, Akira returned to the hangar for the Justicar Gundam's final preparations. Ground crews bustled around the machine, their eyes filled with reverence. A young ground crew soldier approached Akira and saluted. "Lieutenant Colonel, we're all willing to follow you! Wherever you go tomorrow, we'll support you!"

Akira patted his shoulder and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. After tomorrow, we won't just have victory. We'll have true dignity."

Inside the cockpit, Akira closed his eyes and drove his ACCORD Ability to its fullest. Structural plans for the Cyclops System and routes through the base's underground passages surfaced in his mind. He knew tomorrow's operation would determine the course of the war-and secure ZAFT's unwavering loyalty to him.

"Atlantic Federation, your end has come." A sharp light flashed in Akira's eyes as the Justicar Gundam's engines slowly came online, ready for the approaching final showdown. The stars shone dimly in Alaska's night sky. A decisive battle of justice and conspiracy, survival and peace, was about to begin.