The freighter Albatroz was positioned a few kilometers from the attack, hidden deep in the forest. Mechanics and support staff rushed out, beginning maintenance and medical care for both the Mobile Suits and the pilots. Upon the arrival of Ensign Phill Lawrance and Lieutenant Sudai Kiriko, Captain Vivian Polestar called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
—We have contacted inmates of the Federation as soon as possible, who will give us more information as soon as possible.
The captain placed on the table some photographs taken at the time of the attack; these were not entirely clear, but some small distinctive features about the black Mobile Suit could be seen.
—Two eyes, V-shaped antennae...—the Ensign murmured.
"You don't have to be a genius to figure out that we're dealing with a Gundam, Ensign," the Lieutenant replied.
—Yes, but their method of attack, and the way they react to communication signals, is not so easy to explain.
The captain pointed to a specific photograph.
—Our enemy possesses the TITANS emblem, along with a unit number, "03".
There was a moment of doubt and uncertainty. Even though Vivian had spoken with complete seriousness, the number 3 implied that there could be two other units with the same destructive capacity simultaneously. Both Lawrence and Kiriko looked somewhat nervously at Vivian, whose lips trembled as she tried to remain calm.
The two pilots cruised along the Albatroz, sharing cans of soda to try and calm their anxieties, while discussing what they had just experienced. Neither Lawrence nor old Kiriko had ever experienced anything like it.
—Kiriko, you fought in the one year war, you must have felt something similar.
—Kid, you'd be surprised by the million things life can still show an old dog like me.
—But... have you ever felt such immense sorrow that it fills the space?
Old Lieutenant Kiriko remained skeptical, despite having been involved in a situation beyond his understanding; he could only attribute it to one thing.
—That's the feeling you're left with when you see your comrades fall in battle.
Lawrence wasn't used to seeing Kiriko sentimental, which left him a little uncertain on a night that was just beginning.
Near the coast, where the Albatross had embarked, the sound of the breeze and the waves filtered into the squadron members' cabins. Slowly, Lawrance relaxed, gradually falling asleep; the ensign was beginning to lose consciousness, or so he thought.
"Help... please... help..."
Lawrance witnessed before him a multitude of colored smudges, as if someone had placed a multitude of low lights in the darkness of the event.
"Help me..."
A soft voice pleaded for help, though nothing could be seen. The ensign could feel it, could hear it, but he didn't recognize its face; he saw no one. Those lights then dissolved into the shadows of sleep, which was abruptly interrupted by the morning light filtering through the cabin window. The ensign sat up on his mattress and uttered only one word.
-Shit.