Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

"The first one," Char opened the holographic screen and brought up the RX-78-1 model, "the Sword Gundam Prototype Unit 1 has rolled off the production line. It's equipped with the Minovsky nuclear reactor, which is powerful enough. But we can replace it with the GN Drive, making it a true 'monster'."

"The second model, based on the sword-style design, will be a close-combat specialized variant. It will feature high mobility, high armor, and focus on close-range combat."

"The third unit is a long-range artillery variant. Equipped with a large GN beam cannon, it can strike targets at extremely long distances."

"Fourth unit, command model. Enhanced communication and intelligence processing capabilities, serving as a mobile command center for MS units."

Erica looked at the sketches of the four mechs on the screen and took a deep breath.

"Four Gundams, four different combat roles. You want to use them to form an elite squad."

"Yes," Char said. "Not just any ordinary mobile suit squad, but a special force capable of carrying out critical missions on any battlefield under any conditions. They don't need to be numerous, just highly skilled."

"Where is the driver?"

Xia thought for a moment.

"Sword-type, I'll pilot it myself. Knight-type, Kanard—he has the talent. Archer-type and Royal-type, the best pilots will be selected from the Griffin Squad."

"You're going to the battlefield yourself?" Erica frowned. "You're the Commander-in-Chief of National Defense; Orb can't afford to lose you."

"If the time comes for the GN Drive to be deployed, Orb will need me on the battlefield even more." Char's tone was calm but firm. "I will not sit in the back and let others bleed for me."

Erica stared at him for a long time, and finally sighed.

"You're always like this."

"This is my responsibility."

At 2 a.m., Erica left the office.

Char sat alone at the table, in front of him the solar reactor startup data transmitted from the Jupiter base. The waveforms, power curves, and particle concentration readings corresponded one by one in his mind to the original data from the 00th era.

"VEDA," he said, "analyzes the strategic value of the GN Drive to Orb."

"Analysis in progress... The core value of the GN Drive lies in three aspects. First, it provides a near-limitless energy source—the output power of a single GN Drive is sufficient to power a medium-sized city. Second, it generates GN particles—which can be used for optical stealth, beam weapons, quantum communication, and the potential evolution of future Innovators. Third, it serves as a strategic deterrent—the very existence of the GN Drive is a symbol of Orb's technological prowess."

"But there are also risks," Xia said.

"Yes. If the existence of the GN Drive is exposed, it will attract the covetous eyes of both the Earth Federation and PLANT. Orb could become the target of everyone's attacks. Therefore, it is recommended that the existence of the GN Drive be classified as top secret, and only you, Dr. Erica, and Lord Uzumi be aware of it."

"Agreed." Xia stood up, walked to the window, and asked, "What about the expansion of the Jupiter base?"

"With current resources, the Jupiter base can build a maximum of three more solar furnaces. To expand production capacity, more equipment and materials need to be transported into the Jupiter Sphere. This requires large transport ships, which Orb currently does not have."

"Then let's build four first," Xia said. "Four is enough."

He raised his head and looked towards the southeast sky.

Jupiter, below the horizon, but he knew it was there. In the shadow of that giant gas planet, three tiny Harlows were guarding the greatest energy conduit in human history.

"VEDA, send a message to the Hellos."

"content?"

"Good job. Next step: build the second one."

"Message sent."

Char leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Four GN Drives. Four Gundams. A force that cannot be ignored.

The war is still far off, but the spark has already been ignited.

The next morning, Char stood on the observation deck of the Dawn Society, watching the sun rise from the sea.

He hadn't slept all night, but his spirits remained high. The physical constitution of the new humans made him more resistant to fatigue than ordinary people, but more importantly—his heart was warm.

"elder brother!"

Cagalli's voice came from behind. The thirteen-year-old girl ran up to the observation deck, holding two rice balls in her hands.

"I heard you were up all night in the office again!" she said breathlessly. "Dad asked me to bring you breakfast!"

Char took the rice ball and smiled.

"Thanks."

Cagalli stood beside him, gazing at the distant horizon.

"Brother, what direction is that?"

She pointed southeast—in the direction of Jupiter.

Char paused for a second.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Uzumi summoned Char in his office.

"Did you receive news from Jupiter last night?" Uzumi asked bluntly.

Char didn't hide anything: "Yes. The first GN Drive has been successfully started."

Uzmi nodded, his expression calm.

"How important is this?"

"More important than the orbital elevator, more important than mobile suits, more important than the Izumo-class," Char said. "The GN Drive is a revolution in human energy technology. If it can be mass-produced, humanity will be completely freed from the shackles of fossil fuels and nuclear fission. But more importantly—it can become Orb's protective shield."

"A protective umbrella?"

"A single mobile suit equipped with a GN Drive can win a battle against ten opponents. Four of them can change the course of a war. If Orb ever faces the crisis of national extinction, these four mobile suits will be our last trump card."

Uzmi remained silent for a long time.

"Are you planning to drive yourself?"

"Yes."

"You are the Commander-in-Chief of the Orb Defense Force. If you die on the battlefield—"

"I won't die," Char interrupted him. "At least, I won't die before Orb needs me."

Uzumi looked at his adopted son, his deep brown eyes filled with complex emotions—pride, worry, and an indescribable sadness.

"You've grown up," he finally said. "I can't stop you anymore."

"You don't need to stop me," Xia said. "You just need to look at me."

Uzumi smiled and patted Char on the shoulder.

"Go. Go do what you're supposed to do."

On August 16, CE68, Char Aznable signed the "GN Solar Furnace-Mounted MS Development Order".

The contents of the document can only be seen by a select few. The core of the command is to construct four GN Drives using the existing resources of the Jupiter base, and to develop four Gundam-type mobile suits to match them.

Sword Stance (Modified), Knight Stance, Archer Stance, Royal Stance.

Four mobile suits, four pilots, a squad capable of changing the course of the battle.

The last line of the command reads: "This project is codenamed 'Spark.' Meaning—A single spark can start a prairie fire."

Char signed his name and then leaned back in his chair.

"VEDA," he said, "is a personal diary."

"Please speak."

"August 16, CE68. The first solar furnace at the Jupiter base was activated. We spent three years and failed six times before finally succeeding. But this is not the end, only the beginning. Four solar furnaces are not enough, far from enough. But this is all we can do now."

"I believe that one day, GN particles will illuminate the entire solar system. Not as weapons, but as energy. Not for killing, but for exploration."

"That day isn't too far away."

"I will make it come."

He closed the terminal, stood up, and walked towards the office door.

Outside the door, a new day awaits.