Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

In October CE68, 10 kilometers east of Obben Island, deep in the Pacific Ocean.

This is the Orb Navy's secret test voyage area, surrounded by electronic jamming ships, making it impossible for any satellite to detect. On the sea, a giant silver-white ship cuts through the waves, its bow soaring high, leaving a long white trail behind it.

The first ship of the Izumo-class, the "Izumo," is 250 meters long, 80 meters wide, and has a displacement of over 100,000 tons. Its design is unlike any other warship on Earth—it lacks a traditional bridge structure, instead featuring a low, armored bridge and beam turrets throughout the hull. Amidst the hull is a mobile suit hangar capable of accommodating six mobile suits. At the stern is a massive array of propellers, enabling it to reach speeds exceeding 50 knots even at sea.

Char stood on the bridge of the Izumo, looking out at the sea through the panoramic porthole. A sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, blew in from the ventilation vents. Behind him, Erica Simmons was discussing sea trial data with the captain.

"Speed ​​52 knots, propulsion system load 70%," the captain reported. "The Minovsky nuclear reactor is operating stably, and the propulsion output power is within the design range."

"What about the steering test?" Char asked.

"Completed. The minimum turning radius is 1,200 meters, which is 8 percent smaller than the design value. The steering system is responding well."

Char nodded. The Izumo's performance exceeded expectations. The Minovsky particle thrusters not only provided powerful propulsion but also granted the behemoth a level of maneuverability disproportionate to its size. In future space battles, this maneuverability would be crucial for survival.

"Erica, when is the weapon system test scheduled?"

"Next Monday. The target test of the beam cannon will be conducted in coastal waters, at which time a no-navigation zone will be established."

"Keep this confidential," Char said. "Atlantic Federation reconnaissance satellites have been frequently passing through this area recently."

"VEDA is already handling it. It monitors the satellite orbit in real time and sends jamming signals when necessary."

Char turned around and looked out the porthole at the sea again. The Izumo was turning, its hull tilting slightly, and waves were crashing against the hull, splashing up white spray.

In November CE68, the Orb Ministry of Defense announced the completion of the deployment of the "Minovsky Particle Defense System".

It was a low-key announcement—just a brief internal briefing. But everyone who read it knew that Orb's defensive capabilities had undergone a qualitative change.

The core of the Minovsky particle defense system consists of twelve particle generators deployed on and around Obu Island. These generators release high concentrations of Minovsky particles, creating a "fog" that covers the entire Obu airspace. Within this fog, traditional radar and electronic reconnaissance methods become completely ineffective—electromagnetic waves are scattered by the particles and cannot penetrate. Only friendly units equipped with specialized sensors can maintain communication and detection within the fog.

"This means," Char explained at the defense conference, "that any enemy attempting to attack Orb will lose its long-range precision strike capability. Their missiles will become blind, and their reconnaissance satellites will become useless. To attack Orb, they can only come within visual range—and there, our mobile suits are waiting for them."

"Will the fog affect our communications?" the Army Commander asked.

"No. Our mobile suits and warships are equipped with Minovsky particle-compatible sensors and communication systems. The fog is transparent to us."

"What about deployment costs?"

"Eight percent of the defense budget," Char replied, "but it's worth it. The Minovsky defense system is not just a shield, it's a deterrent. Anyone who wants to attack Orb will have to recalculate the cost."

Uzmi sat in the chairman's seat and nodded slowly.

"Approved. Continue operation."

In early December of CE68, the main structure of the "Heavenly Pillar" rail elevator was 12% complete.

A 60,000-kilometer-long cable stretches from the equatorial sea to the sky, connecting to the space station in high orbit. This largest structure in human history is nearing completion.

Char Aznable once again boarded the space station to inspect the final construction progress. Through the porthole, he could see the curvature of the Earth—the azure sea, the white clouds, and the faint outline of the continents in the distance.

"Lord Char, the tension adjustment of the last cable has been completed," the project manager reported. "It is expected to be officially operational by the 20th of this month."

"What about the passenger lift testing?"

"One hundred and twenty unmanned tests and ten manned tests have been completed. Safety is 100%. The one-way travel time from the ground to the space station is four hours, and the carrying capacity is fifty tons."

Char nodded. The completion of the orbital elevator meant that Orb now possessed the ability to independently access space. No longer would they need to rely on rocket launch services from other countries, nor would they be limited by launch windows and payload constraints. Every day, 24 hours a day, every moment, cargo and personnel could travel between heaven and earth via the elevator.

"Inform Dawn Corporation," Char said, "that starting next month, all space production of MS components will be transferred to Ame no Mihachi. Ground production lines will only retain final assembly and testing."

"Yes."

Char stood in front of the porthole of the space station, his hands behind his back.

The crisis was drawing ever closer. He had an inexplicable intuition—perhaps the abilities of the new humans were warning him, or perhaps VEDA's data analysis was confirming his fears. CE69 would be the calm before the storm.

"VEDA," he whispered, "the latest developments regarding PLANT."

"Patrick Sara delivered a speech to the Supreme Council yesterday on the topic of 'The Right of Self-Defense of the Coordinator.' His approval rating rose to 67 percent. Siegel Klein's dissenting proposal was rejected by a vote of 18 to 12."

What about Earth Alliance?

"The Blue Cosmos parade in the Atlantic Federation reached a new record in scale, with over 500,000 participants. The slogan was upgraded from 'Expel the Coordinators' to 'Cleanse the Coordinators.' Murta Azrael's televised speech garnered over 30% viewership."

Char closed his eyes.

"We don't have much time left."

Jupiter's circle.

In the base's control room, Haro the Builder faced a row of flashing indicator lights. Its spherical shell was covered with traces of micrometeorite impacts, but its "eyes" remained bright.

Solar Furnace No. 3 has been successfully started.

From the start-up of the first solar furnace in August CE68 to the completion of the third in December, the Harrow team worked almost non-stop for four months. After the seventh successful trial, the topology of TD Blanket stabilized, and the subsequent construction speed increased significantly.

"Hello! Hello!" The builder spun around in the control room, making cheerful electronic noises.

The Explorers sent back a message from afar: the core components of the fourth solar furnace have entered the final assembly stage and are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The guardians reported that the base's resource reserves had been depleted by 70 percent and that raw materials needed to be replenished.

Three solar furnaces floated silently in a dedicated compartment in the base, their cold blue light pulsating in the darkness. Each one was a marvel of human engineering—approximately two meters in diameter, weighing about ten tons, and with an output power exceeding that of any known energy device.

They will soon be transported back to Earth and placed inside the chests of four Gundams.

The underground factory of the Dawn Society.

Char stood before a massive blueprint, outlining four mobile suits. This wasn't a Zaku, not a GM, and not the RX-78-1 Sword Gundam. This was a completely new design—a second-generation Gundam centered around the GN Drive.

"GNY-001 Justice Gundam." Char pointed to the first image. "Based on the RX-78-1 Gundam, it's equipped with a GN Drive. It stands 18.3 meters tall and weighs 49 tons. The GN Particle Propulsion System provides ten times the acceleration of the Minovsky Thrusters. Its weapon systems include a GN Beam Rifle, a GN Beam Saber, and a GN Shield."

"GNY-002 Aquamarine Gundam." The second image shows a more slender mobile suit. "Long-range sniper model. Equipped with high-precision sensors and a large GN beam sniper rifle. Effective range exceeds 100 kilometers. Thinner armor, extremely high mobility."

"GNY-003 Tank Goddess Gundam." The third image shows a clear transformation mechanism on the back of the mobile suit. "Variable form support model. Can transform into flight mode for high-speed assaults and reconnaissance. Armaments primarily consist of missiles and melee weapons."

"GNY-004 Judgment Goddess Gundam." The fourth image shows a unique antenna structure on the head of the mobile suit. "Command model. Enhanced communication and intelligence processing capabilities, equipped with VEDA mobile terminals. Can serve as a mobile command center for MS units."

Erica stood beside him, her gaze shifting between the four design drawings.

"Each of these four machines far surpasses the performance of the existing Zaku and GM. The energy density provided by the GN Drive... is more than ten times that of the Minovsky Nuclear Furnace."

"Yes," Xia said, "that's why they can't be mass-produced. It's not that we don't want to, it's that we can't. The manufacture of GN Drives requires the special environment of the Jupiter Sphere, and it's time-consuming, costly, and has a low success rate. At this stage, four units are our limit."

"Where is the driver?"

"Goddess of Justice, I will pilot her myself. Goddess of Stars and Water, selected from the best snipers in the Griffin Team. Goddess of Chariots, Noah Reyes—his talent is suited for high-mobility combat. Goddess of Judgment, Lina Hopkins—although she is not a top-tier pilot, her technical skills and coordination with VEDA are exactly what the command model needs."

Erica nodded.

How long will the construction period take?

"If we concentrate all resources, we expect to complete the first unit in June of CE69 and all four units in September." Char turned to look at her. "From now on, the production lines for the Zaku and GM will be suspended. All manpower, material resources, and financial resources will be directed towards these four Gundams."

"Suspend mass production?" Erica frowned. "What about the Griffin Team's future supplies?"

"Thirty mobile suits are enough for now," Char said. "The appearance of the GN Drive has changed the game. The combat power of four Gundams is more than that of a hundred Zaku. We must complete them first."

Erica was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll arrange it right away."