Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

By CE63, Char's team had grown to more than twenty people.

Because Char has a principle when selecting members: he doesn't consider background, only ability and loyalty. Therefore, the team includes both Naturals and Coordinators. This is rare in other departments of Dawn Corporation—while the conflict between Coordinators and Naturals isn't as acute in Orb as in other countries, a divide still exists.

But within Char's team, this divide was deliberately broken down.

Hiroshi Kato is a Natural, and Rin Sato is a Coordinator; the two work together seamlessly in the intersection of materials science and energy systems. Christina, being of mixed race, has friends on both sides and becomes a "bridge" within the team. Ron is a Natural, but he has no prejudice against his Coordinator colleagues—his only criterion is exceptional technical skill.

"Our team," Char said at a dinner party, "is a microcosm of Orb. People of different backgrounds, races, and origins come together for the same goal. If Orb can do this, the world can."

Rin Sato raised her glass: "To Obu."

"To Obu!" Everyone raised their glasses together.

Late at night, after the dinner party, Erika and Char walked side by side down the corridor of the Dawn Society.

"Char," Erika suddenly spoke up, "I have something I want to ask you."

"explain."

"You know, I never ask you about the source of your knowledge. But... we've worked together for four years. I'm wondering if you have something... that I haven't told you?"

Char stopped and looked at Erika.

"You mean, do I have some kind of supernatural ability?"

“It’s not supernatural,” Erica said earnestly. “It’s knowledge that transcends this era. Your blueprints, your theoretical framework, your technical approach—these cannot be explained by ‘genius.’ Genius can innovate, but it’s impossible to create a complete, self-consistent physical system out of thin air that no one has ever proposed before.”

Char remained silent.

"I won't press you for details," Erica continued, "but I want to know to what extent I can trust you."

Char took a deep breath.

"Erica," he said, "I can tell you one thing: what I know is a gift from the past of this world, and I don't know how to explain it to you."

Erica's eyes widened slightly.

"But I am an Orb citizen," Char said. "I am Uzumi's adopted son, Cagalli's brother, and a part of this country. That knowledge, no matter where it came from in the past, now belongs to Orb."

Erica stared at him for a long time.

"That's enough," she finally said. "That's all I want to know."

She reached out and gently patted Xia's shoulder.

"No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you are the Char I know. That's enough."

Char felt his eyes getting hot.

"Thank you, Erica."

By the end of CE63, the secret team had established a complete division of labor system.

Erica Simmons is responsible for overall technical coordination and Minovsky particle research. Hiroshi Kato is responsible for materials science and E-carbon fiber processing. Rin Sato is responsible for energy systems and nuclear fusion technology. Christina Belmont is responsible for artificial intelligence and control systems. Ron Mitchell is responsible for weapons systems and ballistics. Yuehua Li is responsible for new materials and nanotechnology.

With the addition of a dozen or so engineers and technicians, the team now possesses the full capability to independently develop the next generation of mobile suits.

Char's role in the team is both that of a technical director and a spiritual leader. He doesn't need to personally operate every experiment or write every line of code—his value lies in providing direction, solving the most difficult problems, and pointing the way out when the team is in trouble.

"We are not an ordinary research and development team," Char said at the year-end summary meeting. "We are the seeds of Orb's future. Today, we toil silently in the darkness; tomorrow, we will reap the rewards in the sunlight."

"To that day," he raised his glass, "cheers."

"Cheers!"

On December 28, CE63, the year-end defense conference was held at the Ministry of National Defense building.

Char stood in front of the strategic map and reported the results of his work over the past year to Uzumi and the top brass of the National Defense Forces.

"The Ame no Miyazaki project is progressing normally, with the main structure expected to be completed in CE68. The solar power project has completed the construction of two offshore platforms, generating 8% of Orb's total electricity consumption. Breakthroughs have been achieved in new energy storage technologies, with the energy density of vanadium redox flow batteries increasing threefold."

This is publicly available data.

"In addition, the space operation robot project has completed its preliminary design and is expected to conduct its first prototype test in CE65. This project will provide critical support for the construction and maintenance of rail elevators."

This is the disguised "Sword-style MS" project.

Uzmi listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

After the report ended, the other attendees left one after another, leaving only Char and his son Uzumi in the meeting room.

"Father," Xia Ya walked to the strategic map, his gaze sweeping over each defensive node, "I have some things I didn't report at the meeting."

"explain."

Char opened the encrypted terminal, and a three-dimensional model appeared on the screen—it was the design drawing of the "Sword" MS prototype.

"This is a new type of mobile suit," Char said. "Powered by the Minovsky nuclear reactor, it has a long endurance. The first prototype is expected to roll off the production line in CE65, and mass production will begin in CE68."

Uzumi stared at the design drawings on the screen and remained silent for a long time.

"You're already doing these things?"

"It started in CE59," Xia said. "Four years have passed. We have a core team of more than twenty people, a complete theoretical system, and a feasible technical roadmap. All that's left is time and resources."

Uzumi slowly stood up, walked to Char's side, and looked at Orb on the map.

"Char," he said, "do you know what the consequences will be if what you've done is exposed?"

"I know," Char replied calmly. "Both the Earth Alliance and PLANT see Orb as a threat. They will join forces to exert pressure, and may even launch a preemptive strike."

"Then why are you still doing it?"

Char turned around and looked into Uzumi's eyes.

"Because if we don't do it, the consequences will be even more serious," he said. "If Aub doesn't have the power to protect itself, when war comes, we will be at the mercy of others. The principle of not invading other countries, not allowing other countries to invade, and not intervening in other countries' conflicts—this principle needs power to uphold it. Without power, the principle is just empty talk."

Uzumi looked at his adopted son, his deep red eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.

"Are you confident?" he asked.

Char paused for a moment, then pointed to Orb on the map.

"Father, give me time," he said, his voice not loud, but every word resounding. "Ob will become a 'Sleeping Lion' that no one dares to touch."

"The Sleeping Lion..." Uzumi murmured, repeating the word over and over.

A smile slowly appeared on his lips—not the formulaic smile of a politician, but the gratification of a father watching his son grow up.

"Okay." Uzumi patted Char on the shoulder. "I'll give you time."

December 31, CE63, Lunar New Year's Eve.

Char stood on the observation deck of the Dawn Society, overlooking the myriad lights of Orb City.

In the distance, the construction site of "Heavenly Pillar" was brightly lit, with construction workers working day and night. On the sea, the lights of the solar power platforms resembled a string of pearls, adorning the night.

In his hand, he held an encrypted terminal. The terminal contained the complete design blueprints of the "Sword" MS, the technical solution for the Minovsky nuclear reactor, and future strategic plans.

These are his weapons, and also Orb's hope.

He recalled five years ago, the young man who had returned from his round-the-world trip. Back then, his eyes still held confusion and hesitation. Five years of trials had made him more resolute and clearer.

"Amuro, I know what I need to do," he whispered to the night sky. "I know what I can do."

Footsteps sounded behind me.

"Brother!" Cagalli's voice rang out. The seven-year-old girl ran up to the observation deck, holding a string of sparklers. "Daddy said you're here! Come and set off fireworks!"

Char turned around and smiled as he accepted the sparkler.

"Okay, let's go set off fireworks."

He took his sister's hand, walked down from the observation deck, and headed towards his family and friends who were waiting for him.

Fireworks burst in the night sky, illuminating the entire city.

CE63 has ended.

But the "sleeping lion" has begun to awaken.