In the middle of CE 71, the smoke of war across space had yet to disperse, yet Yurius City on the PLANT mainland carried a rare air of solemnity and gravity. Standing within the core district of the Space Colony, the Ministry of Defense building—the supreme military command center of ZAFT—was a silver-grey, ship-shaped structure carved entirely with the ZAFT military emblem. Beneath the sunlight, the crest symbolizing "freedom and resistance" shone brilliantly, silently showcasing the military majesty of this Coordinator nation. At that moment, brilliantly lit and heavy with a solemn yet enthusiastic atmosphere, the award ceremony hall on the top floor of the Ministry of Defense building had all eyes focused on a young figure standing in the center of the hall in a ZAFT regular military uniform: Mei Hock.
More than a week had passed since the conclusion of the Battle of Panama. Mei Hock had led a ZAFT assault squadron to raid the Panama Spaceport, and at the cost of zero major casualties, completely destroyed the Earth Alliance Forces' final Mass Driver, recovered 78 enemy Mobile Suits along with over 120 core components, and forced the remaining Earth Alliance Forces troops to surrender unconditionally. In one fell swoop, he severed the Earth Alliance Forces' sole pathway to space, dramatically shifting the battlefield landscape of CE 71. Following this battle, Mei Hock's name resounded throughout the entire ZAFT military. From coordinating the overall situation at Victoria Port to commanding on-site at Panama, he displayed strategic insight and command talent far beyond his years through his calm judgment, precise tactical deployments, and an operational style that avoided prolonged engagements or overextension, making him the most dazzling Nova within the ZAFT military.
"Lieutenant Colonel Mei Hock, step forward to receive your honors." As the solemn voice of the master of ceremonies rang out, Mei Hock straightened his back and walked steadily forward. He wore a crisp, dark blue ZAFT regular military uniform, the lieutenant colonel insignia on his shoulder boards still clear, yet it could not mask his steady and restrained aura. Tempered by multiple space and terrestrial campaigns, this teenager who had once struggled to survive in the Heliopolis orphanage had now grown into a military commander capable of standing on his own. His deep eyes concealed a vicissitude and firmness unbefitting his youth, and only that composure carved into his very bones remained unchanged.
Seated upon the award platform were the core members of the Supreme Military Committee of ZAFT. Among them, Councilman Amalfi, dressed in a dark blue formal uniform with a gentle expression yet sharp eyes, smiled as he watched him. Councilman Amalfi was a core figure of the moderate faction within the ZAFT military and also the pivotal force behind Mei Hock's promotion, having previously monitored Mei Hock's combat performance on multiple occasions and holding a profound appreciation for the young commander's talents.
Mei Hock arrived before the award platform and respectfully raised a hand in a standard, forceful salute without a trace of arrogance or impulsiveness. "Mei Hock, Lieutenant Colonel of the ZAFT military, through superior command and outstanding battle accomplishments in multiple engagements including the Battle of Panama and the defense of Victoria Port, successfully destroyed strategic enemy strongholds, severely crippled enemy living forces, and secured critical operational momentum for the ZAFT military." Councilman Amalfi slowly stood up, holding in his hands a gold medal engraved with starry sky patterns-this was the "Starry Sky Medal" of the ZAFT military, awarded exclusively to senior commanders who had made significant contributions to the nation. "By deliberation and decision of the Supreme Military Committee of ZAFT, Mei Hock is promoted to Colonel of the ZAFT military, awarded the Starry Sky Medal, and appointed as the commander of the assault squadron, holding full authority over the combat, training, and deployment operations of a complete assault squadron."
As his voice fell, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall. Every general and officer present cast looks of admiration and envy. The rank of a ZAFT colonel was something ordinary commanders required over a decade of campaigning to attain, yet Mei Hock, at merely 20 years of age, vaulted straight from lieutenant colonel to colonel, becoming the youngest colonel in ZAFT history. More shockingly, this was not a conventional promotion; he was directly and exceptionally elevated from a Mobile Suit squad leader to a fleet commander-an unprecedented precedent in ZAFT history, which sufficiently demonstrated the high recognition and heavy trust the Supreme Military Committee placed in his command capabilities.
Mei Hock accepted the Starry Sky Medal. As his fingertips touched the cool metallic texture of the medal, there was no excessive elation in his heart, only a heavy sense of responsibility. He raised his hand in a salute once more, his tone steady and resolute: "Thank you for the military's trust. Mei Hock shall certainly not fail this mission, will steadfastly uphold ZAFT's convictions, defend PLANT's sovereignty, and prove worthy of the trust placed in me by all superior officers." His voice was not loud, yet it clearly carried through the entire hall. That composure and firmness caused the generals present to grow even more certain that this young commander would undoubtedly become a pillar of strength for the ZAFT military in the future.
Councilman Amalfi nodded with satisfaction, patted his shoulder, and spoke in a gentle yet grave tone: "Colonel Mei Hock, you deserve this honor, and you deserve the military's trust. Your appointment this time as the assault squadron commander is no coincidence-ZAFT currently faces the predicament of a blockade by the Earth Alliance Forces' main fleet and urgently needs a group of capable, bold young commanders to break the stalemate of the battlefield. The force the military has equipped you with is a newly formed, elite assault squadron consisting of 4 warships and 25 Mobile Suits, which includes 3 Laurasia-class high-speed warships and a custom flagship tailored specifically for you: the Starry Sky."
"The Starry Sky?" A trace of surprise flashed through Mei Hock's eyes. Although he knew the military would equip him with a dedicated fleet, he had never expected a custom-built flagship. He was exceedingly familiar with Laurasia-class high-speed warships; as ZAFT's primary high-speed assault vessels, they possessed formidable mobility and firepower, making them suited for rapid strikes and coordinated fleet combat. Three Laurasia-class ships were enough to form a formidable high-speed assault force, and this exclusive flagship was clearly the military's top priority.
Sensing his confusion, Councilman Amalfi smiled and said, "The Starry Sky is a high-speed assault command custom vessel developed over three months by the Supreme Military Committee of ZAFT specifically to break the current blank slate of the battlefield. After April of CE 71, we realized that ZAFT lacked an all-purpose capital ship capable of 'command, assault, support, and deployment'-conventional capital ships boasted strong command capabilities but lacked mobility, high-speed assault ships possessed high mobility but lacked command efficiency, while Mobile Suit carriers focused on deployment without frontal combat capability. Consequently, using the high mobility and single-ship combat capabilities of the Earth Alliance Forces' Archangel as a reference, and fusing ZAFT's top-tier Deuterium Nuclear Power, beam weaponry, and command systems, we collaborated with the Rau Le Creuset Laboratory and the ZAFT Space Fleet Technical Department to deeply analyze the Archangel's core technology, ultimately developing the Starry Sky. Its core objective is 'one warship adapted to diverse battle scenarios'."
With that, Councilman Amalfi raised his hand, and the holographic screen behind him instantly lit up. A three-dimensional holographic image of the Starry Sky slowly emerged, instantly drawing the gaze of everyone in the hall. It was a warship that combined power and aesthetic grace, continuing ZAFT's signature streamlined hull. The silver-grey body was dotted with deep red stripes that echoed the color of Mei Hock's uniform, fully displaying an elite temperament. The bow was sharp and wedge-shaped, drawing inspiration from the Archangel's bow design, which both enhanced penetration during high-speed navigation and reinforced the defensive capabilities of the frontal armor; the midsection of the hull housed an open Mobile Suit hangar to facilitate rapid Mobile Suit deployment and enhance coordinated combat efficiency; the sides of the hull symmetrically arranged main weapons and thrusters with sleek, sharp lines; the bridge was a large, enclosed command cabin made entirely of high-strength transparent alloy, internally equipped with an omnidirectional command and control console capable of dual command over both the fleet and Mobile Suits; and the stern carried 6 groups of large vector thrusters, providing robust propulsion support for the warship. With an overall length reaching 380 meters, it perfectly balanced the three core demands of frontal combat, Mobile Suit carriage, and high speed.
"The core parameters of the Starry Sky are sufficient to crush all of ZAFT's current conventional capital ships." Councilman Amalfi walked in front of the holographic screen and tapped his fingertip as the core parameters of the Starry Sky appeared one by one. "The propulsion system adopts 3 high-energy Deuterium Nuclear Power reactors independently developed by ZAFT, adapted for Neutron Jammer environments, paired with 6 groups of vector thrusters and 4 groups of emergency thrusters. Peak speeds can reach 140% of a Nazca, and endurance is 1.8 times that of a conventional capital ship. It can rapidly switch between 'high-speed assault' and 'stable combat' modes, capable of breaking through enemy blockades as a single ship or serving as the fleet's center to command coordinated operations."
"In terms of defensive systems, the Starry Sky carries heavy composite anti-beam/ballistic armor reaching a thickness of 1800mm. Built through a combination of Phase Shift Armor and anti-beam coatings, it can simultaneously withstand ballistic and beam attacks. Paired with a hull emergency repair system capable of withstanding 1 Positron Blaster attack from the Archangel, the emergency repair system can rapidly mend minor armor breaches, proving sufficient to sustain prolonged frontal combat. Even if the single ship falls surrounded by the enemy, it can hold out and await reinforcement."
"The weapon configuration balances frontal suppression, single-ship commerce raiding, omnidirectional defense, and Mobile Suit coordination." A hint of pride laced Councilman Amalfi's tone. "The main weapons are triple-barreled high-energy particle beam main cannons positioned on the forward bow, with a single-barrel output of 2200kw and a triple-barreled salvo output of 6600kw. It can switch between Single-Shot Anti-Ship Mode, Rapid-Fire Suppression Mode, and salvo siege modes, boasting a range of 80km and a firepower comparable to the Archangel's 'Lohengrin' Positron Blaster; a salvo can directly destroy small fortresses and all capital ships of the Earth Alliance Forces."
"The secondary weapons are six-barreled medium beam secondary cannons, with 3 on each side of the hull capable of 360° rotation, a firing rate of 30 rounds/minute, and a range of 50km. They are primarily used during frontal combat to suppress enemy wingmen and incoming Mobile Suits, and during single-ship commerce raiding to intercept enemy escort warships and missiles, with a response speed 30% faster than conventional warship secondary cannons. The close-defense weapons are twelve-barreled beam machine guns deployed around the periphery and stern of the hull, with a single-barrel firing rate of 150 rounds/minute capable of simultaneously locking onto 20 incoming targets, achieving an interception success rate of over 85%. They are specifically designated to intercept close-range incoming missiles, torpedoes, and Mobile Suits to safeguard the warship's own safety."
"In addition, the Starry Sky is equipped with an eight-barreled heavy armor-piercing missile launch bay deployed in the ventral section of the hull. Carrying heavy armor-piercing explosive missiles capable of evading conventional radar detection with a range of 60km, it serves as a dedicated weapon for single-ship commerce raiding, capable of stealthily destroying Earth Alliance Forces supply lines, Mobile Suit carriers, and temporary command posts without relying on Mobile Suit support. The hangar sides also feature Mobile Suit support beam cannons with a single-barrel output of 800kw, capable of synchronously locking onto Mobile Suit combat targets to provide long-range firepower support for Mobile Suits, realizing a dual suppression of 'warship plus Mobile Suit'."
"Regarding Mobile Suit carrying capacity, the Starry Sky standardly carries 10 elite Mobile Suits, including 1 command-type Mobile Suit, while the backup hangar can additionally carry 4 emergency Mobile Suits. Equipped with 2 sets of high-speed electromagnetic catapults, it can synchronously deploy 3 Mobile Suits with the launch interval shortened to 3 seconds, enabling rapid deployment of Mobile Suits to unfold coordinated combat."
"The crew configuration is also entirely selected from ZAFT elites, with a full main complement of 120 personnel, including 1 captain, 1 fleet commander, 1 Mobile Suit commander, 18 fire control operators, 22 propulsion system engineers, 10 reconnaissance analysts, 30 Mobile Suit maintenance personnel, 6 medics, 10 communications personnel, and 3 command staff officers. All crew members possess the independent capability to command small fleets, with a single-ship combat endurance reaching 96 hours and fleet-coordinated combat endurance reaching 168 hours."
Hearing Councilman Amalfi's introduction, Mei Hock felt his heart fill with awe. He could clearly perceive that every design aspect of the Starry Sky aligned with current battlefield demands, balancing the four core capabilities of command, assault, support, and deployment. It possessed both the assault resilience of the Archangel's "single-ship solitary journey" and the command efficiency of a "fleet center," making it quite literally the peak omnidirectional capital ship of the ZAFT military in CE 71. With such a flagship, coupled with 3 Nazca-class high-speed warships and 25 Mobile Suits, he possessed the confidence to complete any combat mission assigned by the military and shatter the blockade of the Earth Alliance fleet.
"The Starry Sky is currently docked at the exclusive berth in Yurius Port, and all debugging work has been completed, making it ready to set sail at any time." Councilman Amalfi's tone gradually grew solemn as he pulled Mei Hock to one side of the award platform, away from the gazes of the crowd, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Colonel Mei Hock, granting you the Starry Sky and promoting you to fleet commander this time-aside from allowing you to break the battlefield stalemate-involves one more important matter entrusted to you."
Mei Hock's heart grew cold as he detected the gravity in Councilman Amalfi's tone, and he hastily nodded. "Please speak, Councilman. No matter the matter, Mei Hock shall certainly give it my all."
"It concerns Miss Lacus Clyne." A trace of pity and worry flashed through Councilman Amalfi's eyes. "As you know, ever since Miss Lacus handed the Freedom Gundam over to Kira Yamato, Chairman Clyne was implicated and sentenced for treason by the military. Although we moderates lobbied with all our might, we remained powerless to turn the tide. Chairman Clyne was unfortunately gunned down by a radical faction ambush on his escape route. As for Miss Lacus, she has been missing ever since that day, and although we have dispatched personnel to search multiple times, we have uncovered no clues."
Hearing this news, Mei Hock's heart sank violently, his fingertips tightening slightly. He had long since known about Chairman Clyne being implicated, yet Lacus-that gentle, kind-hearted, peace-loving girl from his childhood-had actually been forced into hiding to endure such hardship. In the memories of his past life, although Lacus ultimately emerged safe and sound to become a pivotal figure advancing peace, this period of hiding must undoubtedly have been fraught with hardship and danger.
"Miss Lacus is Chairman Clyne's daughter, the hope of our moderate faction, and the future hope of PLANT." Councilman Amalfi's tone carried a hint of entreaty. "She is kind, wise, and deeply versed in the ways of peace. If any mishap befalls her, it will not only be a loss for our moderate faction but a loss for all of PLANT. I know that you and Miss Lacus have known each other for a long time and trust one another. Moreover, your abilities are outstanding and your subordinate fleet is elite; searching for and protecting Miss Lacus is something I feel most at ease entrusting to you."
Mei Hock took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and looked at Councilman Amalfi with a resolute gaze. "Rest assured, Councilman. Finding and protecting Miss Lacus requires no entrustment; I would give it my all regardless. Miss Lacus is kind-natured by birth and ought not to bear these hardships. I promise you that no matter the cost, I will find her, keep her safe, and ensure she suffers not the slightest harm."
His tone was incomparably resolute, his eyes holding not a trace of hesitation. Toward Lacus, he had always held a special bond within his heart-from their meeting during youth in PLANT to their subsequent mutual support, he had long regarded this delicate yet tenacious girl as someone he was bound to protect. Now that she was trapped in peril, he would not sit idly by under any circumstances.
Councilman Amalfi nodded with satisfaction, a hint of relief showing in his eyes. "With those words from you, I can rest easy. This matter must be kept strictly confidential; do not let the radical faction find out, otherwise, they will certainly step up their search efforts and place Miss Lacus in even greater peril. You may search for clues regarding her in secret while executing your combat missions, and report any news to me at the earliest opportunity."
"Understood." Mei Hock nodded solemnly.
After the award ceremony concluded, Mei Hock did not linger, heading immediately to the ZAFT Ministry of Defense Operations Command Center to report recent combat operations and the battlefield cleanup following the Battle of Panama to Chairman Zala. Chairman Zala, as a core figure of the radical faction within the ZAFT military, although holding a different stance from the Clyne faction, deeply recognized Mei Hock's command talent.
"Colonel Mei Hock, congratulations on your promotion, and congratulations on acquiring the Starry Sky and your exclusive fleet." Chairman Zala sat in the command chair, his sharp gaze fixed on Mei Hock. "The military holds high hopes for you. It is our hope that you will not fail this trust, that you will whip your fleet into shape as soon as possible, rush to the frontlines, shatter the blockade of the Earth Alliance fleet, and win ultimate victory for ZAFT."
"Please rest assured, Chairman. I have made up my mind to complete fleet training as quickly as possible and stand ready at any time to rush to the frontlines to execute the combat missions assigned by the military," Mei Hock respectfully stated. "My purpose in coming here is to report to the Chairman on the handover of command for the ZAFT military forces in the Earth theater. Following the conclusion of the Battle of Panama, the Mobile Suit squad and ground forces under my command have been handed over to reliable subordinates, and all handover preparations are complete. I humbly request the Chairman's approval."
Chairman Zala nodded slightly, raising a hand to tap the control console lightly, and an approval document appeared before Mei Hock. "Handover approved. The ZAFT military forces in the Earth theater will be taken over by Major Raynor. You no longer need to handle operational command in the Earth theater and can focus wholeheartedly on training your assault squadron. Remember, your core mission is to break the main fleet blockade of the Earth Alliance, tie down enemy forces, and buy time for the defense and counterattack of the PLANT mainland."
"Understood, sir." Mei Hock accepted the approval document and saluted solemnly.
Once his reporting duties concluded, Mei Hock departed the Ministry of Defense Operations Command Center and headed straight for Yurius Port-he was eager to lay eyes upon his very own flagship and greet the old subordinates who had shared life and death with him. As the largest spaceport in PLANT, Yurius Port played host to countless ZAFT warships, yet the Starry Sky rested at an exclusive VIP berth, appearing exceptionally dazzling amidst the myriad vessels. The silver-grey and deep red paintwork radiated an awe-inspiring majesty beneath the illumination of cosmic light.
Stepping onto the bridge of the Starry Sky, Mei Hock gazed around, his heart filled with emotion. The bridge was spacious and brightly lit, with the omnidirectional command and control console occupying the core position. Countless streams of data scrolled rapidly across the screens, clearly displaying the warship's various parameters and statuses; the command chair was large and comfortable, engraved with the Starry Sky emblem on its back, and sitting upon it allowed a panoramic view of every corner of the bridge and mastery over the combat posture of the entire fleet. Flanking the bridge were the fire control, communications, and reconnaissance operating stations, where operators conducted final debugging work in an orderly fashion, their expressions focused and rigorous.
"Commander!" Accompanied by a crisp cry, several familiar figures walked briskly onto the bridge: Luna Maria, Meirin, Shiho, Li Bing, and Heine. Upon learning the news of Mei Hock's promotion and his acquisition of an exclusive fleet, they had rushed to the Starry Sky at the earliest opportunity to await his arrival.
Mei Hock turned around, looking at the individuals before him, a gentle smile blooming on his face-these people were his closest companions since crossing over, partners who had shared life and death alongside him in battle. From the Heliopolis orphanage to the battlefields of the ZAFT military, they had remained steadfastly by his side, accompanying his growth and witnessing every single honor he earned.
"Everyone is here." Mei Hock smiled, his gaze sweeping over them one by one. "The military has promoted me to colonel this time, appointing me as the assault squadron commander equipped with 3 Laurasia-class high-speed warships, this Starry Sky, and 25 Mobile Suits. I have already applied to the military to transfer all of you to the Starry Sky to fight side by side with me."
Hearing these words, excited smiles bloomed on everyone's faces. Luna Maria stepped forward, light sparkling in her eyes: "Brother, that's wonderful! We can continue to follow you into battle!" Meirin nodded with a smile as well: "Wherever you go, we will follow, supporting you forever."
Mei Hock nodded slightly, his tone turning solemn. "This promotion is not only my honor but yours as well. Through repeated combat trials, your abilities have all won the recognition of the military. According to the military's directives, Lunamaria Hawke and Shiho Hahnenfuss have been exceptionally promoted to red uniform elite pilots of the ZAFT military based on their outstanding performance across multiple battles, transferred to the Starry Sky to serve as Mobile Suit squad commanders commanding two separate Mobile Suit squads for coordinated operations."
"Thank you, Commander!" Luna and Shiho raised their hands in a simultaneous salute, their eyes filled with excitement and pride. Red uniform elite pilot status was the highest honor for ZAFT Mobile Suit pilots, dreamed of by countless aviators; their exceptional promotion was not only a recognition of their strength but also a commendation for their numerous battle achievements.
"Heine Westenfluss." Mei Hock looked at Heine, his tone steady. "You fight fiercely with abundant experience. The military has appointed you as the chief commander of the Starry Sky Mobile Suit forces, assisting me in coordinating the deployment, training, and operational matters of the 25 Mobile Suits, taking charge of the coordination between Mobile Suits and the warship to ensure every Mobile Suit raid unleashes maximum combat power."
"Understood! Mission guaranteed!" Heine straightened his back, saluted solemnly, and a hearty smile spread across his face. "Commander, rest assured. With me here, I will certainly not let you down; I'll train the Mobile Suit forces into the most elite fighting force!"
"Li Bing." Mei Hock's gaze shifted to Li Bing, a hint of approval in his eyes. "In your previous actual combat, you made rapid progress, displayed agile reflexes and precise operation, and showed immense talent for warship piloting. The military has appointed you as the chief helmsman of the Starry Sky, responsible for the navigation, maneuvering, and attitude adjustments of the warship, mastering the heading of the Starry Sky to ensure that in any battle scenario, the warship remains flexibly maneuverable, evades enemy attacks, and reaches combat zones with precision."
A surge of excitement coursed through Li Bing as she hurriedly raised a hand in a salute, her voice resolute: "Thank you for the commander's trust. I will certainly not fail this commission; I'll give it my all to serve as the chief helmsman of the Starry Sky, guarding the warship and protecting everyone!"
"Meirin Hawke." Mei Hock looked at Meirin, his tone gentle yet carrying a trace of solemnity. "You are meticulous and possess exquisite communications technology. You will continue to serve as the communications officer of the Starry Sky, responsible for the warship's communications links, intelligence transmission, and encryption work to ensure smooth internal fleet communications, communications between the warship and Mobile Suits, as well as between the fleet and the military, timely transmitting battlefield intelligence and operational directives to provide a safeguard for command."
"Understood, Commander. I will certainly handle communications work well and avoid any errors whatsoever." Meirin nodded with a smile, her eyes filled with resolve.
Having arranged everyone's positions, Mei Hock swept his gaze across the bridge and paused slightly. "Currently, the bridge team of the Starry Sky is basically formed, but two crucial positions remain vacant-the executive officer and the weapons officer. The weapons officer is responsible for all weapon deployments, firepower control, and ammunition resupply of the warship, requiring formidable fire control knowledge and practical combat experience. I do not yet have a suitable candidate in mind, but I will slowly search for one subsequently."
"As for the executive officer..." A trace of thought flashed through Mei Hock's eyes. In truth, he already had a suitable candidate in mind-a military officer he had met aboard the Archangel who possessed rich combat experience, steady reliability, and a proficiency in coordinated fleet command that made her fully qualified for the post of executive officer. "I already have a suitable candidate in mind, but for now, fleet training is our top priority. The matter of the executive officer can be delayed for the time being."
Everyone nodded in succession, expressing understanding. They were all well aware that for a newly formed fleet, training work was of paramount importance. Only by carrying out solid training and elevating the fleet's coordinated combat capabilities could they unleash maximum combat power on the battlefield and complete the combat missions assigned by the military.
In the days that followed, Mei Hock threw himself body and soul into fleet training operations. He transferred all his old subordinates to the Starry Sky and the 3 Nazca-class high-speed warships. Simultaneously, the military filled the remaining Mobile Suit and warship operator vacancies for the fleet; all crew members were elites of the ZAFT military possessing rich combat and operational experience. According to the characteristics of each warship and the abilities of the crew, Mei Hock formulated a detailed training plan, conducting repeated drills and exercises across every single link-from warship coordination, Mobile Suit deployment, and firepower cooperation to single-ship commerce raiding and emergency response.
On the bridge of the Starry Sky, Mei Hock sat squarely in the command chair, his gaze fixed intently on the holographic screen as he monitored the training status of the entire fleet in real-time. "Laurasia-class Ship Number 1, increase speed and maintain coordination with the Starry Sky, keeping the spacing controlled within 10 kilometers without a single deviation!" "Mobile Suit squads, activate the high-speed electromagnetic catapults to synchronously deploy 3 Mobile Suits for coordinated raid drills, paying attention to firepower coordination with the warship to avoid friendly fire!" "Fire control department, activate the triple-beam main cannons for Single-Shot Anti-Ship Mode firing drills, locking targets onto the simulated enemy vessel ahead for precise strikes!"
Clear directives were transmitted precisely through the communications system to every warship and every combat unit. Led by the Starry Sky, the 3 Nazca-class high-speed warships sailed rapidly through space, maintaining neat formations while flexibly switching navigation modes and drilling various tactics for coordinated fleet combat. Inside the Mobile Suit hangar of the Starry Sky, 10 elite Mobile Suits (primarily consisting of the ZGMF-600 GuAIZ, ZGMF-1017 Improved Ginn, and the Justicar Gundam) were neatly arranged, with pilots tending to their respective duties. Following Mei Hock's directives, they executed drills in Mobile Suit deployment, coordinated raids, and aerial dogfighting. The high-speed electromagnetic catapults operated unceasingly as Mobile Suit after Mobile Suit rapidly ascended into space, unfolding intense simulated combat confrontations with smooth and precise movements. Fire control operators focused on handling the warship's various weapons, with the beam main cannons, secondary cannons, beam machine guns, and missiles launching in sequence to accurately strike simulated targets, practicing firepower configurations and attack tactics under differing battle scenarios. Li Bing sat at the chief helmsman position with focused expression, flexibly manipulating the heading and posture of the Starry Sky; whether it was high-speed assault or emergency evasive maneuvers, her operation was exceedingly smooth. Meirin stood guard at the communications station, transmitting various directives and intelligence in a timely manner to ensure unobstructed communications. Luna and Shiho piloted Mobile Suits at the head of their respective squads, conducting coordinated combat drills; their piloting techniques grew increasingly exquisite through repeated actual combat and training, and their coordination grew ever more tacit. Meanwhile, Heine shuttled between the Mobile Suit forces and the bridge, coordinating the training of the Mobile Suit forces, promptly correcting pilot operating errors, and elevating the combat capabilities of the Mobile Suit units.
The training of the entire fleet was carried out with fervent intensity, and every crew member brimmed with fighting spirit and enthusiasm. They understood deeply that they bore the heavy responsibility of guarding PLANT and breaking the battlefield stalemate; only through arduous training to elevate their personal capabilities and the fleet's coordinated combat prowess could they win victory on the battlefield and live up to the trust of the military and the expectations of Mei Hock. Mei Hock himself remained steadfastly at his command post, personally supervising the training every day, promptly adjusting training plans, and resolving problems that arose during the training process. His calm, rigorous, and precise command also won him the admiration and trust of all crew members.
While Mei Hock led his fleet in strenuous training near PLANT, the fires of war upon Earth had long since reignited, plunging the globe into a fiery ordeal. Ever since the botched raid on Kaohsiung Port and the loss of an advanced Mobile Suit, the Atlantic Federation forces had remained dormant for a period of time. Although the Azrael Foundation promptly replenished a backup unit, the formidable strength of East Asia left the Atlantic Federation forces thoroughly wary—the mass-production speed of the East Asian Republic was common knowledge, with both its Mobile Suit mass-production capacity and warship construction velocity far surpassing other nations. Furthermore, the Mobile Suits and warships of the East Asian Republic possessed outstanding performance, which, coupled with the tactical flexibility of the East Asian military and its elite soldiers, meant the Atlantic Federation forces lacked the courage to rashly attack the East Asian Republic again, leaving them with no choice but to shift their sights toward other targets.
Previously, the Panama Base had been destroyed by the ZAFT military led by Mei Hock, causing the Atlantic Federation forces and the lunar base to completely lose contact with one another. The lunar base fell into a predicament of scarce resources and interrupted supplies, and the soldiers garrisoning the lunar base faced the crisis of running out of ammunition and food, teetering on the verge of collapse at any moment. The panicked higher-ups of the Atlantic Federation forces held emergency consultations and ultimately decided to seek a pretext to attack the United Republic of Orb-a small nation that likewise practiced a neutral policy yet had taken in "traitors" of the Atlantic Federation such as the Archangel and Kira Yamato.
Although the United Republic of Orb possessed prominent technological strength, advanced Mobile Suit research and construction capabilities, and cultivated a batch of elite soldiers, compared to the East Asian Republic, Orb's resource and population base appeared extremely frail, and its national defense power was relatively limited, making it entirely incapable of contending with the powerful Atlantic Federation forces. Using the pretext that "Orb accepted traitors of the Atlantic Federation and endangered Atlantic Federation security," the Atlantic Federation forces assembled a massive fleet of warships and Mobile Suits to launch a fierce attack against Orb, officially sparking a brutal campaign on Orb's soil.
In the early stages of the battle, Orb's military mounted stubborn resistance relying on home defense advantages and advanced Mobile Suits. Cagalli Yula Athha, serving as the princess of Orb, personally commanded the Orb military to engage in fierce battles against the Atlantic Federation forces; Mu also joined the battlefield piloting the repaired Strike Gundam, and at a crucial juncture of the battle, even the Buster Gundam stepped forward to cover the Archangel. Kira Yamato piloting the Freedom Gundam and Athrun Zala piloting the Justice Gundam also joined the fray, fighting back-to-back and utilizing formidable mobile suit performance alongside exquisite piloting techniques to repeatedly rout the Atlantic Federation's Mobile Suit forces and severely cripple enemy warships, becoming the core combat strength of the Orb military.
However, the Atlantic Federation forces had mobilized massive troop strengths this time, specifically deploying three advanced units operated by Extended pilots: the Calamity Gundam, the Forbidden Gundam, and the Justicar Gundam. As second-generation GAT-series prototype machines of the Earth Alliance Forces, these three Gundams possessed formidable performance with distinct areas of specialization. The Aegis Gundam excelled at high-speed assault and weapon acquisition; the Forbidden Gundam, relying on its Energy Deflection Armor, could immunize itself against the majority of beam attacks and excelled at frontal breakthrough and close-range suppression; while the Calamity Gundam focused on long-range heavy firepower suppression with staggering destructive power.
During the combat, the Justicar Gundam, Forbidden Gundam, and Calamity Gundam sortied simultaneously, entangling Kira and Athrun tightly. Clotho Buer piloted the Aegis Gundam, utilizing supreme mobility to continuously harass Kira's Freedom Gundam in an attempt to seize the Freedom Gundam's weapons; Shani Andras piloted the Forbidden Gundam, using its Energy Deflection Armor to ignore the Freedom Gundam's beam attacks and suppress Kira at close quarters, preventing Kira from displaying the Freedom Gundam's firepower advantages; and Orga Sabnak piloted the Calamity Gundam from a stationary ground position, using formidable long-range firepower to continuously bombard the Justice Gundam, forcing Athrun into a predicament of passive defense.
Although Kira and Athrun piloted top-tier Gundams like the Freedom and Justice and possessed SEED Factor abilities that allowed them to trigger SEED mode in combat to elevate their combat power, they were pushed to the limit defending themselves against the joint harassment of the three advanced Gundams piloted by Extendeds. Though the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam boasted formidable performance, prolonged combat led to massive stamina depletion, while the Atlantic Federation forces continuously poured fresh troops into the battlefield, causing the casualties of the Orb military to mount steadily.
The leaders of Orb knew well that Orb's defeat was merely a matter of time-Orb lacked the abundant resources and population base of the East Asian Republic, making it incapable of sustaining protracted warfare or rapidly replenishing troops and equipment. Furthermore, Kira and Athrun were entangled by the three advanced Gundams, rendering them unable to support other battlefronts of the Orb military, and Orb's defense lines were being breached by the Atlantic Federation forces bit by bit. To preserve the hope of Orb, to allow Cagalli to survive and continue guarding Orb's convictions, the leadership of Orb made a tragic and resolute decision-to detonate the Kaguya Mass Driver, destroying the core facilities on Orb's mainland to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Atlantic Federation forces. Simultaneously, they dispatched Cagalli, the Kusanagi, a portion of elite troops, along with the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam, into space via the Kaguya Mass Driver, while all remaining ground troops of Orb headed to the East Asian Republic to seek refuge and asylum.
At the very moment the Kaguya Mass Driver was detonated, the entirety of Orb's mainland plunged into a sea of fire. Massive shockwaves swept across the entire nation of Orb, destroying countless buildings and sacrificing countless soldiers. Orb, the small nation that had once adhered to neutrality and loved peace, ultimately fell amidst the flames of war. Standing on the bridge of the Kusanagi, Cagalli watched the scenes of Orb's fall unfold on the screen as tears uncontrollably slipped down her cheeks, her heart filled with grief and unwillingness. Yet she knew equally well that she must remain strong and survive in order to inherit Orb's convictions and exact vengeance for the fallen soldiers and her homeland.
Following the fall of Orb, Azrael, the commander of the Atlantic Federation forces, looked upon the ruins of Orb with a sense of impotent rage—although he had captured Orb, he secured neither the Mass Driver nor Orb's core technology, paying instead a heavy price in casualties. Moreover, Orb's remnants had fled to the East Asian Republic, and the Freedom and Justice Gundams had been sent into space, utterly frustrating his plans. Yet he dared not rashly attack the East Asian Republic either, leaving him with no choice but to order his forces to regroup and seek new targets.
After deliberations, the higher-ups of the Atlantic Federation forces locked their next target onto the ZAFT military's Victoria Port base. Victoria Port was an important base of the ZAFT military on Earth's surface, housing a Mass Driver. If they could capture Victoria Port and destroy the ZAFT military's Mass Driver, they could sever the connection between the ZAFT military on Earth and in space while simultaneously restoring the supply line between the Atlantic Federation forces and the lunar base—previously, after Mei Hock led the ZAFT military to destroy the Panama Mass Driver, the Atlantic Federation forces had remained unable to resume supplies to the lunar base, but if Victoria Port's Mass Driver could be retaken, the supply route between Earth and the moon could be re-established to alleviate the crisis at the lunar base.
At that moment, Mei Hock was leading his fleet in training near PLANT and was unable to provide timely support to Victoria Port. Meanwhile, the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam had also been sent into space and were in the midst of seeking a foothold, leaving the garrison forces at Victoria Port restricted to conventional Mobile Suits like Ginns and CGUEs, alongside a handful of GuAIZ units, entirely devoid of combat strength capable of contending with the advanced units of the Atlantic Federation forces. Assembling a massive force of warships and Mobile Suits-including the three advanced Gundams: the Justicar, Forbidden, and Calamity-the Atlantic Federation forces launched a fierce raid against Victoria Port.
Although the ZAFT military garrison at Victoria Port mounted stubborn resistance, they were utterly powerless to parry the elite forces and formidable advanced units of the Atlantic Federation. Conventional Mobile Suits like Ginns and CGUEs possessed lagging performance, completely failing to pierce the defenses of the three advanced Gundams or even scratch their armor, reducing them to passive targets; a small number of GuAIZ units, though slightly superior in performance, were too few in number to alter the course of the battle. The warships of the Atlantic Federation continuously bombarded Victoria Port's defense positions, while the three advanced Gundams rampaged across the battlefield, wantonly destroying the ZAFT military's Mobile Suits and defensive installations. ZAFT casualties mounted continuously, and defense lines were breached bit by bit.
The ZAFT military soldiers tasked with guarding the Victoria Port mass accelerator attempted to activate demolition charges to destroy the mass accelerator and prevent it from falling into the hands of the Atlantic Federation forces, but their actions were discovered by the Justicar Gundam. Clotho Buer piloted the Justicar Gundam in a rapid raid, easily destroying the Mobile Suit responsible for rigging the mass accelerator with explosives and halting the demolition action. Ultimately, with ammunition exhausted and casualties severe, the ZAFT garrison at Victoria Port was forced to abandon the port and retreat to the North Africa region to hold out and await reinforcements.
The Atlantic Federation forces successfully captured Victoria Port, seized the Mass Driver without sustaining major damage, and immediately activated it to restore the supply line to the lunar base. Massive quantities of supplies and equipment were continuously shipped to the lunar base, alleviating its resource shortages and supply interruptions. Concurrently, through data provided by a mysterious individual, the Atlantic Federation forces acquired the core technology for the Neutron Jammer Canceller—a device capable of effectively neutralizing the effects of Neutron Jammers, allowing nuclear weapons to detonate normally within neutron-jammed environments.
Upon acquiring the technology for the Neutron Jammer Canceller, the higher-ups of the Atlantic Federation forces were ecstatic. They immediately issued orders for the mass production of nuclear weapons, continuously shipping these arms to the space fleet in preparation for utilizing nuclear weapons on the space battlefield to strike the Space Colonies of PLANT, utterly destroying ZAFT's mainland and winning ultimate victory in the war. In an instant, the situation on the space battlefield grew increasingly tense, and a destructive crisis was quietly brewing.
At that time, in space, the fleet configurations of the various factions gradually grew clear. The ZAFT military possessed 3 main fleets totaling 120 warships, the majority of which were Laurasia-class conventional capital ships alongside a small number of newly commissioned Nazca-class high-speed warships. Their Mobile Suit allocation centered primarily on Ginn Customs alongside a small number of GuAIZ and elite Mobile Suits, making their overall combat strength formidable and well-suited for coordinated combat and high-speed raids.
The Atlantic Federation forces possessed 7 main fleets totaling 280 warships, vastly outnumbering the ZAFT military. Each fleet was equipped with 4 Agamemnon-class space carriers, 8 Nelson-class capital warships, with the remainder being Drake-class conventional warships. Their Mobile Suit allocation centered on Strike Daggers and Daggers, giving them abundant overall combat strength and an absolute advantage in sheer numbers.
The East Asian Republic, acting as a neutral nation, also possessed a powerful space fleet with a configuration akin to that of the Atlantic Federation forces: 2 space fleets totaling 80 warships. Their Mobile Suit deployment centered on the East Asia-developed Black Tortoise Mobile Suits, which possessed outstanding performance. Moreover, the space fleet of the East Asian Republic possessed robust defensive capabilities and excelled at coordinated combat; although inferior in numbers to the Atlantic Federation and ZAFT forces, its combat strength could not be underestimated.
Currently, both the space forces of the Atlantic Federation and the East Asian Republic had begun mass-equipping domestically developed Mobile Suits, gradually replacing underpowered Mobile Armors like the Moebius to elevate the combat capabilities of their space fleets. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Federation still retained a wing of Mobile Armors dubbed the "Peacemaker"—this Mobile Armor wing, though bearing a gentle moniker, was thoroughly devastating. Each Mobile Armor was equipped with a single nuclear warhead and several missiles, with the core objective of rapidly breaking through enemy defense lines during battle to utilize nuclear weapons against PLANT's Space Colonies and core military installations, utterly obliterating ZAFT's living forces.
As the troop deployments of the various factions gradually reached completion, the space battlefield entered a phase of comprehensive preparation. The ZAFT military accelerated the pace of fleet training while stepping up research, development, and mass production of Mobile Suits and warships to prepare for the nuclear attacks of the Atlantic Federation; the Atlantic Federation manufactured nuclear weapons on a massive scale while reorganizing its space fleet to prepare for a large-scale space offensive to completely crush PLANT; and the East Asian Republic steadfastly upheld its neutral stance, simultaneously reinforcing mainland and space defenses while harboring Orb's remaining forces and reorganizing its troops, standing ready to respond to impending war crises at any moment.
Just as the fires of war stood poised on a hair-trigger, an urgent message suddenly swept through the entire ZAFT space fleet-Armory One had been attacked by unknown forces, and the warship Eternal had been forcibly seized! As a Mobile Suit carrier of the ZAFT military, the Eternal carried a vast amount of core technology while simultaneously serving as the core warship of the Clyne faction. Its hijacking signified not only the loss of an important Mobile Suit carrier for the ZAFT military but also suggested that the remaining forces of the Clyne faction might have reassembled. Furthermore, if the core technology aboard the Eternal fell into enemy hands, it would pose a monumental threat to the ZAFT military.
At that moment, Mei Hock was leading the Starry Sky and the 3 Nazca-class high-speed warships in final training drills within the space region near PLANT, standing less than an hour's voyage away from Armory One. Upon receiving the urgent message, Mei Hock's expression shifted. Instantly halting training, he sat squarely in the command chair, his sharp gaze fixed on the holographic screen as he issued commands with resolute firmness: "Emergency directive! The Starry Sky will set sail immediately, heading to Armory One to pursue the hijacked warship Eternal! All weapon systems are to be activated at once, entering Level 1 combat readiness while remaining vigilant against any suspicious targets!"
"Understood!" On the bridge, all crew members responded in unison, springing into immediate action. The engines of the Starry Sky ignited instantly, emitting a powerful roar as all 6 groups of vector thrusters operated at full tilt. The silver-grey and deep red-painted warship flashed like lightning, dashing toward the direction of Armory One.
Mei Hock turned his gaze toward the communications station and gave an order to Meirin: "Meirin, contact the 3 Nazca-class high-speed warships immediately. Order them to remain in position to complete the remaining training tasks, strengthen vigilance, and stand ready at any moment to respond to potential enemy raids. Simultaneously, monitor the whereabouts of the Eternal closely and report any clues to me at the earliest opportunity. If the military issues new directives, transmit them to me promptly."
"Understood, Commander. Communications are connected, and directives have been transmitted," Meirin responded resolutely while operating the console with speed.
On the bridge of the Starry Sky, data streams rolled rapidly as reconnaissance radars operated at peak efficiency, searching for the tracks of the Eternal. At the fire control department, operators concentrated on handling various weapons-the triple-beam main cannons, six-barreled medium beam secondary cannons, and twelve-barreled beam machine guns all entered standby status, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Inside the Mobile Suit hangar, 10 elite Mobile Suits had completed sortie preparations, with pilots seated within their cockpits awaiting Mei Hock's command to launch a sudden raid and retake the warship the moment the Eternal was spotted.
Mei Hock sat squarely in the command chair, his resolute gaze fixed upon the space ahead as myriad thoughts churned within his mind. He knew precisely who had hijacked the Eternal: Lacus and the remnant forces of the Clyne faction. Speeding rapidly through space, the roar of the Starry Sky's engines pierced the silence of the cosmos, signaling that a pursuit battle-ostensibly a chase yet fundamentally a mission of protection-was about to unfold. Meanwhile, the dark clouds of war hung thick across space, and the trials of strength among various factions were entering a white-hot phase, leaving Mei Hock and his Starry Sky to shoulder even weightier missions and greet harsher challenges amidst the flames of war.
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