After the brutal and surprising battle against the Nova Solva twin units and the brief encounter with the Grai Gundam, the Kimeza Alliance forces returned to their secret base as dusk approached. Physical and mental exhaustion hung over every pilot. The dust-covered White Gundam, the scarred Lavender, and even the Pioneer squadron, which had lost some armor plating, all testified to how dangerous the day's mission had been.
In the dimly lit control room, Airi Kimeza immediately called an emergency meeting. Her face was pale, not just from fatigue, but from the surge of emotion after learning that her husband, Klaus, was still alive and behind the mask of Ans Silvet. She sat in the commander's chair, her hand gripping a small data-pad tightly.
"I know you are all tired, but this is important," Airi said, her voice slightly trembling, though she tried hard to control herself. "Immediately after Ans Silvet retreated, he sent an encrypted message to my private communication channel. The message is extremely urgent."
Zaki, who had just removed his pilot helmet, immediately responded. "What is it, Mom? What does the leader of the Dark Resistance want? Why did he suddenly appear, help us, and then vanish?"
Maki nodded in agreement, sitting next to Zaki. "I also found it strange, Mom. We only fought together for a few minutes, and the Grai Gundam's synchronization was very strong—too strong for a regular rebel unit. He didn't show his full capability, and that makes me suspicious."
"I agree with Zaki and Maki," added Aurora, who was rubbing her temples due to the intensive effects of the Mind Space Communication. "The Dark Resistance's appearance felt planned. As if they were waiting for us to fight the Nova Solva units, then jumped in to save their own situation. There's a hidden motive, Airi."
Augustina, ever pragmatic, asked for the core of the matter. "In that case, what is the specific request, Airi? What does the Dark Resistance want so badly that it requires urgent help from the Kimeza Alliance?"
Airi took a deep breath, looking one by one at the faces she deeply cherished—her children, her colleagues, and Mili Anveil, who was standing at the back.
"Ans Silvet wants us to join him in a direct attack operation. The target is the Colonial aerial warship production center on Earth, located on a remote island in Southeast Asia," Airi explained. She paused for a moment to emphasize the next point. "And what they intend to capture is a new aerial flagship, called the Garuda Base."
The entire room fell silent instantly. Attacking a production base was something they had never done before. So far, they had only defended, protecting Neo-Veridia. Now, they were asked to become the aggressors.
Feres, who was usually calm, was shocked. "The Garuda Base aerial warship? I've heard rumors of it. It's a super-heavy flagship designed to carry eight heavy-class Mobile Suits simultaneously. Its offensive power is very high, and it has advanced anti-air and anti-ground capabilities. If the Colonials use it, it will be a nightmare on the battlefield."
"Exactly," Airi replied. "Ans Silvet argues that the Dark Resistance has infiltration capabilities but lacks the necessary striking power to withstand the Colonial counterattack when they try to extract the ship. He needs the White Gundam, Lavender, and Sunflower to act as the protective spearhead."
Zaki stood up, doubt clearly visible in his eyes. "Mom, this is a huge step. If we attack a Colonial base on Earth, we will definitely be labeled the primary public enemy. We will give the Kings a valid reason to launch the 'Red Zone' fully. And, honestly, I still don't trust Ans Silvet. We don't know who he is, or what his plan is for using a flagship that powerful."
Maki supported her brother's argument. "What if he's just using us? After we help him get the Garuda Base, he might use it against the Colonials, and maybe against us too, Mom! His Grai unit is extremely dangerous."
"I know your concerns. And they are valid," Airi replied, her voice softening, filled with guilt because she couldn't reveal the truth about Ans Silvet. "But Mili has studied the technical data of the Garuda Base. Mili, give us your perspective."
Mili Anveil, a mature woman and a genius in weaponry, stepped forward. She had a different, purely strategic view.
"I hate to say this, but the Kimeza Alliance must help the Dark Resistance," Mili said, looking at everyone with sharp eyes. "The Garuda Base is not just a flagship. It's a game changer. If that unit is successfully operated by the Colonial Armed Forces, our air combat power—which is already minimal—will drastically diminish. That ship can destroy our installations from thousands of meters up, without us being able to retaliate."
Mili pointed to a holographic map in the center of the room, displaying a three-dimensional model of the huge, futuristic-looking flagship. "If we don't stop it now, if we let the Colonials launch the Garuda Base, we will lose the advantage of our Mobile Suits. The White Gundam, Sunflower, and Lavender are fantastic ground assets, but they are vulnerable to large-scale centralized air attacks. We must disable or capture that ship before it can take off."
Feres, after hearing Mili's explanation, nodded. "Mili's logic is sound. This isn't about trusting Ans Silvet; it's about neutralizing a massive threat. If we can capture the Garuda Base, we not only negate a threat, but we also gain the logistical and transport capabilities we desperately need. We can move our eight Mobile Suits anywhere quickly."
Augustina looked at Zaki and Maki. "This is a difficult strategic decision. Take a risk with Ans Silvet, or take a risk facing the Garuda Base. I choose the risk we can monitor. We can control Ans Silvet, or at least watch him. We cannot control an aerial warship that heavy in Colonial hands."
Zaki and Maki exchanged glances. They saw determination in Augustina's eyes and hidden fear in their Mother's. They knew Airi would never ask them to ally with a stranger unless the stakes were incredibly high.
"Alright," Zaki said, sighing in resignation. "We will help the Dark Resistance. But with one condition, Mom. The White Gundam will be the unit closest to the Grai Gundam. We will monitor every one of its movements, every signal. If Ans Silvet shows any signs of betrayal, we will stop him first."
"Agreed," Airi replied, holding back her tears. She felt burdened. Asking her children to face their father, whom she now believed to be Ans Silvet, was the greatest torment for her. But she had no choice.
The Titan Mobile Armor
While the Kimeza Alliance was busy planning their first offensive operation, thousands of kilometers away on a remote island surrounded by dense jungle in Southeast Asia, the Colonial base was operating at high intensity.
In the heart of the base, the mighty Garuda Base, shaped like a giant bird ready to fly, was undergoing final take-off preparations. The unit was enormous, almost the size of a small town.
However, the focus of the King of the Neptune Colony, Sergeth Colombus, was not solely on the flagship. He stood in a separate hangar, surrounded by technicians wearing Neptune Colonial uniforms, overseeing the assembly of a terrifying new weapon.
"How is the Titan Mobile Armor, Chief Engineer?" asked King Sergeth, his voice deep and authoritative.
"All systems operational, Your Majesty. The Titan Mobile Armor is ready for its maiden operation," the Chief Engineer reported. "This unit is not like a regular Mobile Suit. It is a mass destruction weapon. Built with the rarest resources from the Planet Neptune."
King Sergeth Colombus smiled coldly. He knew that Mars and Mercury had been humiliated by the White Ghost, and he saw this as an opportunity to show Neptune's true power.
"Let the Garuda Base be the bait," Sergeth said. "Let the Dark Resistance and those Earth Rebels come. They will be surprised. They will think they are only facing a flagship. But they will face a destructive power they cannot imagine."
King Sergeth pointed towards the gigantic Mobile Armor standing tall. The Titan. The unit was bipedal but much larger than a Gundam. It had thick and intimidating armor. Each fingertip had a port for concentrated beam fire. On its torso were several hidden missile pods. Its shoulders were extremely wide, doubling as long shields, and on its abdomen was a massive opening for a Beam Spray Cannon capable of annihilating an entire Mobile Suit squadron in one shot.
"This is what will end the White Ghost and the Grai Gundam. This is what will restore the dignity of the Colonial Kings' Council. And this is what will make Neptune the new ruler," King Sergeth whispered, his gaze filled with mad ambition. "Prepare the Titan. As soon as the enemy approaches, launch it. Turn this entire island into a war zone they will never forget."
In the middle of the bustling base preparations, a deadly danger named the Titan awaited the arrival of the Kimeza Alliance and the Dark Resistance. This operation was no longer just about capturing a flagship; it was about a battle for life and death against a new, devastating Mobile Armor. They had walked into a deadly trap.
To be continued…