Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

In the second week after Char Aznable awoke, he sent an encrypted command to the secret base in Heliopolis via VEDA.

"Initiate the Orb-based MS development project, codenamed 'Heretical.' Based on the design philosophy of the GAT series, develop Orb's own next-generation MS. Performance standards will be no lower than the GAT series, but it will not need to be equipped with PS armor—the cost is too high and the maintenance difficulty is too great. The armor can use Luna titanium alloy, and the power source will be the Minovsky nuclear reactor."

The instructions were transmitted to Heliopolis via multiple layers of encryption. There, a secret team dispatched by the Dawn Organization was "collaborating" with the Atlantic Federation's technical staff—ostensibly to assist in development, but secretly to learn and absorb the information. They weren't directly stealing data, because Char wouldn't allow it. His requirement was "observe, understand, and then redesign yourself." This was a slower, more secure, and less likely to be detected approach.

"Why did the Commander-in-Chief agree to allow the Atlantic Federation to develop mobile suits on neutral satellites? Wasn't he worried about technology leaks?" Erica once asked.

"I'm worried. But if we don't let them come, they'll cause trouble elsewhere. It's better to keep them under our noses than to be kept in the dark. Besides—the technological concepts of the GAT series are indeed worth learning. Phase-transition armor, illusion particles... these are things Orb doesn't have."

"You want to acquire these technologies?"

"I want to understand them," Char corrected. "Only after understanding them can I decide whether I need them. Not all technologies are suitable for Orb."

The true purpose of Project Heresy is known only to Char and Erika—it's not to replicate the GAT series, but to complement it. The PS armor of the GAT series requires a large amount of energy, and once that energy is depleted, it loses its defensive capabilities. Orb's Luna Titanium alloy doesn't require energy, but it's heavier, affecting mobility. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Char hopes that the Heresy series can simultaneously possess the high reliability of Orb technology, the tactical flexibility of the GAT series, and the overwhelming advantage of the GN Drive.

However, there are only four GN Drives, so he can't turn every mobile suit into a Gundam. Therefore, the Astray series will become the Griffin Squadron's secondary main force—an "elite machine" between the mass-produced Zaku/GM and the four Goddess Gundams.

"The Astray series' frame design is inspired by the MG Astray Gundam's skeleton. It features high flexibility, modular design, and ease of maintenance. The weapon system is compatible with GAT and Orb series equipment—beam rifles, physical swords, rocket launchers, missile launchers, etc. The first batch is planned to produce six units, which will be assigned to elite pilots in the Griffin Squadron."

Erica marked the technical parameters on the design drawings and couldn't help but sigh, "If the war had come three years later, Orb could have independently developed a world-class mobile suit force."

"Unfortunately, war waits for no one," Char said. "So we can only do our best with the resources we have."

On April 15th, Char received an encrypted email from Heliopolis. The sender was Maru Ramias.

"Commander-in-Chief Asha, congratulations on your recovery. The development of the GAT series is progressing smoothly, and we expect to complete all five prototypes by the end of this year. Construction of the Archangel is also nearing completion. Professor Halbarton asked me to convey his gratitude—the cooperation from Orb has exceeded his expectations."

"But there's bad news: Blue Cosmos is pressuring the Joint Chiefs of Staff to deploy the GAT series and new warships to the front lines of the war against PLANT. If the war escalates, Heliopolis's neutral status may no longer be respected. I will do my best to protect the equipment and personnel here. But if the worst happens, the Archangel will be used as an evacuation vessel."

Please take good care of yourself.

Char finished reading the email and remained silent for a long time. He knew what had happened in Heliopolis in the original story—the ZAFT attack, the theft of five GAT series machines, and the escape of the Archangel. He didn't know if the world would continue along the same path, but he knew he had to be prepared.

"VEDA, reply to Maru Ramias. Content: 'Message received. The defense of Heliopolis is under the responsibility of Orb. Within Orb airspace, no one can harm you. However, if the situation spirals out of control, the Archangel may enter Orb territorial waters at any time to request protection. Orb's doors are always open for you.'"

"Sent."

At the same time, in Heliopolis, at the Archangel's weapons testing site.

Natal Bakiruru stood before the fire control console on the bridge, her finger swiping across the touchscreen. The warship's main gun—the "Lohengrin" positron siege cannon—was undergoing its final calibration. The massive barrel extended from the bow, pale blue light gathering and dissipating at the muzzle. Her blonde hair swayed slightly in the breeze from the bridge's air conditioning, her blue eyes focused and calm.

"Captain, fire control system integration complete. Main gun accuracy is within expectations," the technical officer reported.

"Continue monitoring. Record any fluctuations." She checked the time, quickly walked down the bridge, and returned to her cabin. An encrypted terminal sat on the table, its screen displaying a brief message from Orb: "Commander-in-Chief Asha has recovered. Orb's air defense system has been fully upgraded. The White Base is under construction."

Natal stared at the message for a few seconds, then deleted it. She opened her private journal and wrote a few lines with pen and paper—an old but absolutely safe method:

"April 15, CE70. Heliopolis. Archangel main gun calibration completed. GAT series progressing smoothly." She paused. Then she added a line below: "He's still alive. The possibility remains."

She closed her journal and locked it in the drawer. Then she stood up, straightened her uniform, and walked back to the bridge. More work awaited her there.

April 30, Shuguang Community Rehabilitation Center.

Char completed his final physical fitness test. His treadmill speed returned to pre-combat levels, his grip strength reading exceeded the average, and his reaction time score led the testing doctor to suspect a malfunction in the equipment. Erica handed him the report, her tone complex: "Your body has fully recovered. No, it's stronger than before."

Char looked at the report in his hand; the numbers showed that his Newtype abilities had evolved to a new level after his coma. His sensory range had expanded, his mental strength was more stable, and his intuitive predictions of his body's condition were more accurate. However, he still couldn't fully master these abilities; the overload experienced with Junius 7 remained a potential hazard.

"I can fly again," he said.

"The goddess of justice is always waiting for you."

The two walked out of the rehabilitation center and through the corridors of the Dawn Society. Outside the window, spring sunlight shone on the sea, and the cables of the orbital elevator glittered in the sky. In the distance, on the construction site, the foundation for a new missile site was being dug, and workers were busy pouring concrete. Further away, white spray could be seen on the sea surface from diving backpack tests—the Griffin Squadron pilots were practicing underwater combat.

"Orb is becoming a fortress," Erica said.

"The fortress exists for protection," Xia said, stopping and gazing into the distance. "It's so that those who live inside won't have to fear the storms outside. When the storm passes, the fortress walls will be torn down. But now—"

"The storm is intensifying now," Erica added.

Char nodded. He turned and walked toward the Dawn Corporation's command center, his military boots striking the ground with a crisp, powerful sound. Behind him, Erica watched his tall, upright figure, a smile playing on her lips—not the tacit understanding of a technical partner, not the trust of a colleague, but another, more private, warmer emotion. She had confirmed it, and would no longer run away from it.

Whether Char noticed or not is another matter.

April CE70 – the second month after the full-scale outbreak of war.

Orb's lion has fully awakened, its teeth and claws sharper than ever before. Submersible mobile suits patrol the oceans, early warning aircraft circle the skies, and missile sites stand like iron walls on the ground. In space, the skeleton of the White Base is gradually taking shape. In Heliopolis, the secret design of the Heretic series is also progressing step by step.

The storm is still far away, but it's getting closer.