Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

January 15, CE69, Jupiter's orbit.

Four GN Drives floated silently in a dedicated compartment at the base, their cool blue light pulsating in the darkness. After nearly four months of continuous work, the Haro robots had finally completed their mission—all four GN Drives were now fully constructed.

"Hello..." The builder's electronic voice carried a hint of weariness and reluctance. It floated in the base's control room, a circular screen displaying an interstellar travel map. From Jupiter to Earth, the route was over 600 million kilometers long, with an estimated travel time of eight months.

Explorers and Guardians floated around it, and the screens of the three Hello devices lit up simultaneously, displaying the same words: "Go home."

They will return to Earth aboard a cargo capsule equipped with a solar furnace, following a predetermined orbit. The cargo capsule is not manned, but only equipped with basic life support systems—that's for the Harrows. Three small spherical robots will guard the four destiny-changing devices during this long journey.

"Hello! Hello!" the builder uttered a crisp electronic voice, as if saying "Let's go."

The cargo bay's thrusters ignited, and it slowly departed the base's dock. Three Harlows watched through the portholes as Jupiter's massive shadow receded into the distance. The gas giant's striped cloud bands shrank in view, eventually becoming a single point of light.

"Hello..." the explorer's voice was soft.

A message appeared on the Guardian's screen: "We will be back."

January 20, the underground office of the Dawn Society.

Char stood before the solar system star map on the wall, his gaze fixed on the dotted line between Jupiter and Earth. The cargo capsule was traveling towards Earth at a speed of fifty kilometers per second, getting closer every second, but the distance remained vast.

"VEDA, the location of the cargo hold."

"9 million kilometers from Earth. Estimated arrival time: mid-September CE69."

Nine months. Char calculated in his mind. Nine months later, the GN Drive would arrive on Earth. Then, time would be needed for installation, debugging, and testing. The four Gundams—Goddess of Justice, Goddess of the Stars, Goddess of the Chariot, and Goddess of Judgment—would not be truly combat-ready until the end of CE 69 at the earliest.

But war may not have to wait that long.

"Notify Erika," Char said, "that the RX-78-1 modification is on hold. Remove the Luna Titanium Alloy Armor and Core Regulator System and install them on the Zaku."

"The upgrade is paused?" VEDA asked. "The progress of the Goddess of Justice will be delayed."

"I know. But right now, I need a usable mobile suit. The RX-78-1 has been dismantled, and the Zaku and GM are mass-produced and their performance is insufficient. I need a temporarily modified Zaku—using Gundam armor, Gundam weapons, and Gundam core fighters, but with the frame and power system still being from the Zaku."

"This will affect performance."

"It's better than nothing." Char turned around. "Codename 'Zaku Custom.' Complete it within a month."

"Instruction recorded."

In late January CE69, Orb suddenly became the focus of international public opinion.

The cause was the opening of the "Amanohashiro" orbital elevator. This largest structure in human history rises straight into the sky from the equatorial sea, and its silhouette can be captured by satellites from any country. In an instant, the world's attention was focused on this small island nation.

"What gives Orb the right to build an orbital elevator?" a member of the Atlantic Federation questioned in Congress. "Are they hiding any military motives?"

"The orbital elevator is a peaceful facility for space exploration," the Orb Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. "Orb welcomes cooperation from all countries on an equal footing."

But the statement did not quell the doubts. On the contrary, more pressure followed.

On February 1, the Atlantic Federation, citing "technical security" concerns, requested that "observers" be sent to Orb's orbital elevator facility.

On February 5, Blue Universe launched marches in multiple countries to protest "Orb providing technological asylum to Coordinators".

On February 8, PLANT’s Patrick Sara addressed the Supreme Council, accusing Orb of “colluding with Earth in an attempt to monopolize the development of space resources.”

On the surface, it's diplomatic rhetoric; underneath, it's blatant pressure.

"They want the orbital elevator," Mina said at the emergency meeting, her red eyes cold. "Or rather, they don't want Orb to have the orbital elevator. Neither the Atlantic Federation nor PLANT wants to see an independent, neutral nation control the gateway to space."

"So what should we do?" Kazuma Makabe asked, the old general's voice low.

Char stood up and walked to the window of the conference room. Outside, the cables of the orbital elevator glittered on the horizon.

"No backing down," he said. "No surrender. We won't let them set foot in Orb."

Soon after, Uzmi convened an emergency closed-door meeting of the five major families.

This was not a formal government meeting, but a private gathering. The location was the tea room of the Asuka mansion, and only the heads of the five major families attended—Uzumi of the Asuka family, Mina of the Sahak family, Kazuma Makabe of the Makabe family, Kotone Kisaragi of the Kisaragi family, and Hayato Kazama of the Kazama family.

"I've invited you all here today not as representatives of the Chief, but as heads of the Asha family." Uzumi poured a cup of tea for everyone. "Ob is facing the greatest external pressure since its founding. The Atlantic Federation and PLANT are both eyeing our orbital elevator. They want to control it, or destroy it."

"What do you think?" Hayato Kazama asked.

"I believe we cannot back down," Uzumi said. "The orbital elevator is the cornerstone of Orb's journey into space. If we allow external forces to intervene, we will lose our independence forever."

"But Orb's strength..." Kotokoru hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

"Orb's strength is greater than you can see." Uzumi glanced at Char, who was sitting in the corner.

Char stood up and walked to the center of the tea room. He turned on a portable holographic projector, and the screen displayed the latest data on the Orb Defense Forces—MS units, the Izumo, the Minovsky defense system, and concept art of four Gundams.

"These..." Kazuma Makabe's pupils contracted. "When did these happen—?"

"Over the past seven years," Char said, "the Asha and Sahak families have invested a great deal of resources in secretly building these forces. Now, I need the full support of the five great families."

The meeting room remained quiet for a long time.

Kisaragi Kotone was the first to speak: "The Kisaragi family supports us."

Hayato Kazama was silent for a moment: "The Kazama family supports me. But I want to see concrete commercial returns."

"Thirty percent of the revenue from the operation of the rail elevator goes to the Kazama family," Xia said.

"make a deal."

All eyes turned to Kazuma Makabe. The old general stared at the data on the holographic screen for a long time.

"My whole life," he said slowly, "has been dedicated to the defense of Orb. But to be honest, I've never seen such a comprehensive defense system. This isn't something one person could accomplish. It's... a leap forward in history."

He looked up at Xia.

"Makabe family, I support you. But I need you to promise me one thing."

"Please speak."

"If war really breaks out, let me go to the front lines. I'm old, but I can still fight."

Xia looked at the old man with a full head of white hair and nodded.

"it is good."

After the five families reached a consensus, Orb's war machine began to operate at an unprecedented speed.

On February 15, the Ministry of National Defense issued a mobilization order, canceling all military personnel's leave and putting them on standby.

On February 20, the Minovsky defense system completed its final commissioning, expanding its coverage to the entire territorial waters of Obu.

On February 25, the Izumo completed its final sea trial and entered the "Amanomihashi" dock to prepare for spaceflight modifications.

At the same time, Char issued the order to deploy the MS defense line.

Thirty mobile suits were divided into five teams of six. One team was deployed at the orbital elevator space station, responsible for defense in space; one team was deployed in the north of Orb Island; one team was deployed in the south; one team was deployed in the eastern sea area; and one team served as a mobile reserve.

"Six units per team: three Zaku and three GMs," Char said at the operations meeting. "Each team leader reports directly to me. No team may launch an attack without my order."

"What is the defense strategy?" Mina asked.

"Defense and counter-attack." Char pointed to the tactical map. "If the enemy attacks, the first wave will be intercepted by the Minovsky defense system. The second wave will be intercepted by ground-based anti-aircraft fire. The third wave will be met by the MS squad. If the enemy breaks through the first three waves—that's when I'll step in."

"Are you alone?" Mina frowned.

Char walked up to the map and pointed to the center of Orb Island.

"I have Zaku II. That's enough."